NIS to extend control over charity societies spending outside Kuwait

‘Second phase of outpatient clinic building to open soon’

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 12: The National Integrity Society has praised the decision of the Minister of Commerce and Industry and Minister of Social Affairs and Community Development, Fahd AlShariaan, regarding the disclosure of the financial statements of public benefit associations and charity organizations through their websites, in implementation of the principle of disclosures, transparency and governance rules, reports Al-Qabas daily.

The association stressed that the decision to disclose financial assets is necessary to enhance integrity and transparency, maintain voluntary and charitable work and protect it from the risks of corruption.

The sources stressed that “the more the work of public benefit associations expands, the higher their budgets and the greater the need for many measures to achieve accountability and enhance integrity and transparency,” stressing that the step of disclosing their financial statements is “globally recognized measures and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries preceded us in implementing them.”

Meanwhile, Integrity has called for the extension of control over the expenses of these associations outside Kuwait, as there are no specialized government agencies to control payments and disbursement on projects carried out by associations of public interest and charitable causes abroad such as the International Islamic Charitable Organization or Zakat House, with strict control measures in place, similar to the step taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to limit foreign aid through the King Salman Relief Center.

Jahra Hospital Director Dr Ghaleb Al-Busais said the second phase of the outpatient clinic building in the hospital will be inaugurated within the coming days, affirming that preparations for the opening are underway, reports Al-Jarida daily.

In a press statement, Al-Busais announced that the second phase of the outpatient clinics building consists of the internal medicine, orthopedics and children departments.

He stated the internal departments will soon open their doors to the public; indicating the first phase of the building opened a few years ago and this houses the surgery, urology and specialized surgical clinics, such as pediatric, neurosurgery, and plastic surgery. He added the last period witnessed the transfer of the endocrinology, diabetes, diabetic foot, and ear, nose and throat clinics. The Director-General of Kuwait Municipality, Ahmed Al-Manfouhi, said that most of the houses of private housing in the old areas were built 30 years ago, so considering any building that has been built in that period as a “historic building” will hinder citizens from demolishing and building their homes, reports Al-Jarida daily.