KUWAIT CITY, July 10: The Ministry of Health (MoH) seems to be dodging its responsibility over the alleged health insurance scam reported recently by Al-Seyassah daily.
Commenting on the statement of the ministry two days ago that the report is baseless, some ministry officials wondered how can the institution escape from its responsibility or refer the issue to the Ministry of Interior, only to refute later the alleged anomalous activities of the employees involved in the scam and stop dealing with the concerned hospital.
The officials contended the minister of health’s decision to appoint an assistant undersecretary as head of a committee tasked to investigate the issue contradicts the ministry’s claim that the report is baseless. They pointed out this is a clear manifestation of the ministry’s confusion in taking procedures, since it had earlier affirmed that it conducted a thorough investigation in 2009, but the documents published by the daily showed the date as June 2010. They then called on the relevant officials to apologize and address the problem, instead of focusing on the issuance of statements.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health is planning to carry out renovations and other minor construction works at its facilities in 10 hospitals to protect the buildings from denudation, reports Al-Wasat daily.
The daily quoting health officials said KD 24,000,000 has been earmarked for implementation of the project, out of which KD 2,500,000 has been allocated for the Chest and Maternity hospitals, and KD 2,000,000 apportioned to the Sabah Hospital. Ibn Sina Hospital and its facilities will receive KD 1,500,000, while Hussein Makki Juma Center for Specialized Surgery and its facilities will get KD 1,500,000.
Meanwhile, the share of Razi Hospital and its facilities is KD 1,500,000, with the Psychological Diseases Hospital and its facilities receiving KD 2,500,000. The Amiri Hospital is expected to gain KD 1,500,000, while KD 2,500,000 has been allocated for the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital. KD 3,000,000 each was assigned for Farwaniya and Adan Hospital respectively and KD 2,500,000 for the Jahra Hospital.
Sources noted the project has been floated for bidding, which will then be studied, and the contract awarded to the winning company by the ministry.