KCBB seeks international recognition renewal

EPA reduces annual permit fees for smoking in closed facilities

KUWAIT CITY, June 18, (Agencies): A US medical inspection team is scheduled to visit the country on June 20 to evaluate Kuwait Central Blood Bank (KCBB)towards renewing its international recognition, a health official said Monday.

The AABB team will evaluate the performance of KCBB’s blood and immune disease labs and match them with AABB’s international standards, Health Ministry’s Assistant Undersecretary for Medical Services Majeda Al-Qattan said in a press statement.

During its two-day visit, the team will also examine and inspect the quality of service in all KCBB’s laboratories and divisions, Al-Qattan added, noting the Bank’s blood transfusion services department had received an international recognition by AABB in 1989.

AABB (formerly known as the American Association of Blood Banks) is a nonprofit association representing individuals and institutions working in the fields of transfusion, medicine, and cell therapies, in addition to PBM.

The association works to improve health through the development and delivery of standards, accreditation, and educational programs that focus on optimizing patient and donor care and safety.

Meanwhile, the Environment Public Authority (EPA) has reduced the annual fee for a permit to allow smoking in closed and semi-closed public facilities from KD 20 to KD 10 per square meter, reports Al-Rai daily.

Director General of EPA Sheikh Abdullah Al-Ahmad issued a decision to amend the fifth item of Article Five of the regulations on smoking in public facilities to reduce the fee.

With this amendment, EPA requires investors and leaseholders in designated smoking areas to obtain permits for a non-refundable annual fee of KD 10 per square meter.