K-net devices, stamp machines installed in all hospitals, clinics
The French Language Department of the College of Arts at Kuwait University Wednesday organized the second orientation meeting with students in lecture hall no. 125 within the college campus in Khaifan are due to the start of the first semester of 2017/2018 academic year. During the meeting, Head of the department
zones with instructions to comply with the new fees, affirming that there have been continuous coordination among Ministry of Finance, the IT and Finance departments of Ministry of Health and the Shared Electronic Banking Company (K-net) throughout the past few weeks, and their last meeting was held on Saturday.
He indicated that the automation system, which has been installed, was tested under the direct supervision of Assistant Undersecretary for Financial Affairs and Director of IT Department, affirming that the ministry will work round the clock to deal with any impediments that might arise.
Meanwhile, the ministry announced its readiness for applying the increased charges of medical services offered to expatriates by increasing the number of K-net devices through addition of 30 new ones, which will thus increase the total number of such machines installed in all health centers to 80. In addition, Knet machines and stamp machines have already been installed in all hospitals and clinics such that the total number of these machines now exceeds 200.
The ministry reached an agreement with the Shared Electronic Banking Company to ensure the presence of its representatives in all hospitals and health centers for solving any problems or faults with the machines.
In this regard, Minister of Health Dr Jamal Al-Harbi affirmed that there will be no duplication in the collection of the new health service charges and health insurance fees of expatriates.
He stressed that the health insurance fees will continue, but the increase in the charges are for an updated list of health services offered in the country to keep up with the huge increase in the prices of medical equipment, health cadres, and medical structures.
In a press statement issued on Saturday, Dr Al-Harbi explained that the charges of medical services offered to expatriates had been constant and unchanged since 1993, which was for more than 24 years without any increases. With the current increase in prices of medical equipment, health cadres, and medical structures, it was deemed necessary to increase the charges of medical services.
He added, “Health welfare in Kuwait costs the state a lot of money due to which we have included some additional fees to restore back a small portion of the budget incurred by the state.”
Meanwhile, Al-Harbi said on Saturday that increase of medical care costs for expatriates would not include emergency and critical cases.
Managers of hospitals and wards’ chiefs are empowered to look into each case and take the required decision with respect of fees’ payments, the minister indicated in a press release.
The higher payments for the medical care have been imposed due to the heavy financial burdens borne by the Ministry of Health, he said.
Dr Yaqoub Al-Shammari gave a speech in which he revealed the admission rate has been reduced from 60 percent to 50 percent. The aim of the meeting was for the students to become acquainted with the department and to inform them about the major and minor courses in the college.
Kuwait’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Sheikh Salman Sabah Salem Al-Hmoud Al-Sabah discussed on Friday with visiting British Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling, means of bilateral cooperation in the fields of civil aviation and air transport.
The talks highlighted the importance of benefiting from the British experience in management and operation of international airports, and enhance the exchange of expertise with specialized and qualified companies with expertise in this field, DGCA said in statement.
Grayling expressed UK’s readiness to provide all technical support to DGCA as well as consulting, operation, training and development through British expertise in the field of air transport.
For his part, Sheikh Salman Al-Hamoud said that Kuwait is now adopting an ambitious plan to develop its air transport sector and its infrastructure, including technical and organizational capabilities.
He expressed his pleasure to cooperate with the British side in various fields related to civil aviation and air transport industry.
The meeting was attended by director of international development and control at the British Ministry of Transport John Barkelson, DGCA’s Director General Yousif Al-Fozan, Deputy Director-General of Air Transport Emad Al-Jalawi, Deputy Director General for Kuwait International Airport Affairs Fahad AlWuqayan and Head of Technical Office Saud Al-Mahrous. (KUNA)