Top panel approves mechanism for low cost pilgrimage: source
MoH continues ‘filtering’ number of overseas treatment cases
KUWAIT CITY, April 13: The Higher Committee for Hajj Affairs recently held a meeting, chaired by Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Undersecretary Fareed Amadi, to approve several mechanisms in preparation for this year’s pilgrimage season, reports Al-Qabas daily.
According to a source, the meeting approved a mechanism for low cost pilgrimage to ensure Hajj caravans do not increase fees.
The source affirmed that any caravan which fails to abide by specified prices will face sanctions. The committee is keen on creating an avenue for special low cost pilgrimage for the needy, in collaboration with Zakat House and Kuwait Awqaf Public Administration. This policy will be implemented based on certain criteria which will be announced later, the source added.
The meeting deliberated on the possibility of approaching Saudi authorities again to enable Bedouns to perform pilgrimage this year, while the ministry is ready to abide by all conditions set by Saudi’s Ministry of Hajj Affairs. The ministry will instruct all caravans to ensure clerics who will provide guides for their pilgrims to desist from speeches with sectarian and tribal undertone, while pilgrims should not be allowed to organize any public procession during the Hajj rites.
The ministry will closely monitor caravans to ensure they provide security, safety, food and other necessary services for the comfort of pilgrims. It will form a team that will uncover violations, monitor services, receive complaints from pilgrims and solve their problems.
‘Filtering’
Meanwhile, Ministry of Health is continuing its policy of “filtering” the number of overseas treatment cases following the dissolution of the higher committee. The process of sending patients for overseas treatment is now restricted to specialized committees in hospitals, reports Al-Shahed daily.
The department for overseas treatment in the ministry affirmed its success in reducing the number of patients by more than 70 percent compared to the time of the former minister and undersecretary.
It explained that approximately 2,326 patients were sent for treatment during the first three months of 2015. This number doubled to 5,462 in the first three months of 2016. However, the situation changed after Minister of Health Jamal Al-Harbi took over the health portfolio whereby the numbers are now reducing. Only 1,032 patients were sent for overseas treatment in the first three months of 2017. This means only 250 were sent on monthly basis for overseas treatment only through specialized committees in hospitals.
A committee will be formed upon the orders of government to review minor expenses of the official authorities to determine violations that require investigation, reports Annahar daily.
The daily quoting reliable sources added some official authorities spend more than their income. They noted the follow up of expenditure has been done over the years, although no specific committee was assigned purposely for that. They added the government still faces the challenge of cutting back on official spending without it affecting the rate of accomplishments through the implementation of development projects.
Meanwhile, government sources pointed to deficit in the budget of 2017/2018 due to the dwindling oil price observed for the third year in a row. They disclosed the projected income for the current fiscal year, which started on April 1 is KD 13.3 billion, and with expected expenditure of KD 19.9 billion and KD 6.6 billion deficit. It predicted oil revenue for the next financial year to reach KD 38.8 billion with 36 percent raise compared to the current year and the figure is based on the projected price of $ 45 per barrel. Despite the dwindling oil prices observed over the past 3 years, its proceeds constitute 88 percent of the general budget.