KUWAIT CITY, Feb 7: The Local Private Medical Practitioners Association has bid Ministry of Health to amend the current method of recruitment tests for doctors organized by the Recruitment Committee, insisting that the procedure lacks explicit methodology and neutral assessment, reports Al-Watan Arabic daily.

In a press statement, the association, representing itself as the official spokesperson for private hospitals, indicated that several competent doctors with high degrees were rejected based on unknown criteria through this procedure.

Faults
It alleged that the committee only finds faults and takes decisions based on its own viewpoint of the applicants without testing their scientific knowledge.

The association suggested the examinations should be based on a clear methodology such that written examinations are conducted and personal opinions are not involved.

It demanded the committee to test based on a scientific approach prepared by specialized doctors of various fields, insisting that English should be the language used for the test.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health is planning to send doctors and technicians to Singapore and Japan for training, reports Al-Anba daily quoting reliable sources.

According to these sources the Ministry has completed initial preparations to send the first group of radiology technicians to Singapore at the end of February to train on the latest developments in the field of radiology.

The sources also indicated another batch of doctors and nuclear medicine technicians will leave for Japan for training on the latest medical methods.

The sources added the doctors will leave the country at the end of the March and the nuclear medicine technicians at the beginning of April this year.  

The purpose of the training is to improve the quality of medical services and facilities offered for the patients and clients and to catch up with the latest developments in medicine and health system in the international arena.

In another development, Dr Hamad Al-Heran, Head of Orthopedics Department at the Al-Razi Hospital has recently quoted as saying the hospital will receive during this month world renowned orthopedists, reports Al-Sabah daily.

He said the visitors will be available for consultation. This is in addition to the lectures which they will give on new developments in this area in coordination with the Kuwait Orthopedic Association.

Dr Al-Heran informed Professor Graham Keith from Britain will visit the hospital from Feb 8 to Feb 15, 2013 while Professor Tomas Peor of France will be at the hospital from Feb 15 to Feb 19, of this year.

Hospital
In an unrelated development, acting Director-General of the Kuwait Municipality has revealed that the Municipality has allotted 600 square meters of land in Salmiya to build a veterinary hospital away from residential areas.

He said this site is located near the existing veterinary hospital. He added the decision will help improve the efficiency and services provided by both the hospitals.

Director of Legal Affairs Department at the Ministry of Health Mahmoud Abdulhadi revealed that the ministry is working on toughening sanctions against smoking at public facilities, adding that the bail bond will be KD 500, which will be more if the individual has committed the violation twice, reports Al-Kuwaitiah daily.

Abdulhadi disclosed that the final amendment to the legal regulations of the Smoking Law was discussed during a meeting that was held on Wednesday with officials from the Fatwa and Legislation Department.

He indicated that the law will allow some officials representing the concerned authorities to have the legal right to arrest those who violate the law.

He revealed that a meeting will be held soon with the Fatwa and Legislation Department to finalize the Mental Health Act before submitting it for approval.