Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital handover postponed

‘Health refuses to receive project, not ready to operate at present’

KUWAIT CITY, Nov 16: The ministries of Health and Public Works are delaying the response of the Fatwa and Legislation Department regarding the hand over of Sheikh Jaber AlAhmad Hospital to the Health Ministry, reports Al-Anba daily quoting sources.

Sources disclosed the Health Ministry refused to receive the hospital due to the absence of an examination certificate from the Firefighting General Department which is in charge of confirming the safety of structures.

Sources said the Public Works Ministry confirmed that it has obtained the firefighting certificate, indicating any project will not be implemented without the department’s approval.

Sources claimed the Health Ministry refused to receive the project because it is not ready to operate the hospital at present, while the Ministry of Public Works attempted to hand over the hospital to the Health Ministry officials after a series of meetings between the officials of both ministries.

Sources added the controversies surrounding the two ministries prompted the Fatwa and Legislation Department to postpone the announcement of its decision on the hand over of the hospital until next week.

Meanwhile, Acting Health Minister Dr Jamal Al-Harbi said two posts are now vacant — assistant undersecretary for services sector and assistant undersecretary for drugs sector, as Dr Mahmoud Al-Abdulhadi and Dr Omar Al-Sayed have been referred for retirement by the Civil Service Commission (CSC), reports Al-Anba daily.

Speaking to the daily, Al-Harbi revealed that Head of the Minister’s Office Dr Abdulaziz Tashah will take charge of the Services Sector in addition to his current duties.

He added Dr Ibrahim Hadi will handle the Drugs Sector until the return of Dr Yousif Al-Dowairi who was designated to take charge of this post.