‘Admn negligence in Ministry of Health continues unabated’

MPW needs to deal with observations regarding new hospital

KUWAIT CITY, Nov 13: The administrative negligence in the Ministry of Health continues unabated, reports Al-Rai daily.

This is from the distribution of drugs that did not conform to specifications and then withdrawn to the discovery of residue in vitamin ampoules in hospitals, until this negligence reached the door of children suffering from cancer in the National Bank Hospital because one of the most important medicines is unavailable in medical warehouses.

In what appears to be a late move to redress past negligence, the Medical Warehouses Department has informed the pharmacy and hospital departments a few days ago that “Vincristine 1mg & 5mg will not be available until the first quarter of 2018 because the manufacturing company has stopped the supply.”

Health sources have warned of the risks of not providing the medicine, which is essential in the treatment of leukemia in children, and called for holding those responsible guilty of negligence since the supplier has informed the ministry recently that the manufacturer will not provide the drug before the first quarter of next year.

The sources pointed out the ministry has received two letters from the company one on Sept 26 and the other on Oct 25, but only a few days ago the Department of Pharmacy and the hospital were informed about it.

The sources stressed the medicine is very important for the treatment of children and it is surprising why the ministry waited for two months to inform the concerned departments in the hospital.

The sources revealed the current status of the strategic stockpile of the drug indicates it will actually run out, expressing fear of the fate of children who are suffering from cancer in light of the inability of the ministry to provide the medicine and has called for urgent action to avoid a disaster that may afflict innocent children.

Meanwhile, Assistant Undersecretary for Engineering and Projects Affairs at the Ministry of Health Naji Al-Saqer said the ministry made some observations that prevent it from accepting Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital from the Ministry of Public Works. He added the ministry will not take the risk of receiving or operating the hospital until the observations are dealt with, reports Al-Nahar daily.

Al-Saqer stated the hospital was not ready 100 percent as published in the local dailies recently. He also said Kuwait Fire Service Directorate noticed an essential location did not meet security and safety specifications, indicating the Ministry of Public Works has yet to secure approval of Kuwait Fire Service Directorate and Kuwait National Petroleum Corporation. He noted “this is another aspect that impedes usage of the edifice”.

He reaffirmed that the Ministry of Health will not admit any patient or visitor until necessary certificates have been obtained from concerned authorities to ensure security and safety of visitors. He added the ministry has yet to receive any letter from the Ministry of Public Works concerning handing over of the project. DUBAI, Nov 13, (KUNA): Kuwait’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) endorsed a memorandum of understanding for sharing experience on Monday.

The memorandum’s endorsement was attended by DGCA’s President Sheikh Salman Sabah Salem AlHmoud Al-Sabah and DCAA’s Chairman Saif Al-Suwaidi, on the sidelines of Dubai Airshow Exhibition 2017, held until Nov 16.

In a statement to KUNA, Sheikh Salman Al-Sabah said the memorandum involves developing cooperation in aviation and boosting performance.