MPs up in arms over possible scrapping of new health fees
New health minister to review all previous decrees
KUWAIT: Lawmakers yesterday threatened to question new Health Minister Sheikh Basel Al-Sabah after he said that he will review the rise in medical fees imposed on expatriates for possibly scrapping them. In his first press statement after his appointment last week, Sheikh Basel said he will subject the hike in medical fees to a study, and “they could be scrapped or could continue”. He said the higher health fees on expatriates will remain intact, but the process will be re-evaluated to avoid any negative outcomes.
Sheikh Basel added the ministry will look into all possible ventures that will contribute positively to the development of healthcare in Kuwait. All previous ministerial decrees will be revised and re-evaluated in coordination with senior officials at the ministry, he said. The top priority is to improve health services at the ministry, affirmed the minister, who hoped that he would be able to accomplish this goal during his tenure.
Former health minister Jamal Al-Harbi approved the hefty increase in health charges on expatriate patients only about two months ago. In some cases, the increase was several multiples of the previous charges. The decision was strongly criticized by many doctors and human rights activists as “unfair” to poor expatriates who draw very low salaries and will not be able to afford the health prices. But it was warmly greeted by many lawmakers, who saw it as a key tool to reduce the number of expatriate patients visiting public medical centers.
MP Safa Al-Hashem issued a stern and harsh warning to the minister. “Listen to me carefully your excellency the new health minister: If the health of our Kuwaiti people does not bother you, we care a lot about their health and comfort,” Hashem, who has issued several explosive anti-expatriate statements, wrote on her Twitter account. “Any decision to scrap the health charges on expatriates is rejected ... rejected. I will confront it with violent political tools and question you,” she added.
MP Saleh Ashour warned the minister against cancelling the fee hike, saying he will file to grill him for this. MP Abdulkarim AlKandari also strongly rejected the minister’s move, saying that the decision to hike charges has reduced pressure on public health facilities, making it easier for Kuwaiti patients. MP Majed Al-Mutairi said the new health minister should continue with the reforms initiated by his predecessor.
MP Faisal Al-Kandari said the minister should not even think about scrapping the rise in health charges, otherwise he will face a grilling. He said that the decision had positive results in reducing the number of expatriate patients visiting clinics and hospitals and it has helped expose “bogus patients” who unnecessarily filled health centers to get free medicines.
The minister’s statement triggered a debate on social media, with a majority shocked at the statement, while a small minority of Kuwaitis praising the decision and saying that the rise was too high and many low-paid expatriates cannot afford it.
Meanwhile, opposition MP Adel AlDamkhi said a number of MPs will hold a meeting today to discuss the issue of the MPs and activists jailed for storming the National Assembly.