‘Afiya’ in limbo following Ministry of Health’s failure to honor its contract

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MoH owes GIG about 125 million dinars

KUWAIT CITY, April 3: While the retirees’ hopes rest in the approval of 3,000 dinars grant, well informed sources told Al- Qabas daily the wellness document concerned with providing health services to tens of thousands of retired people suffers from financial ‘difficulties’, which may threaten its continuation, as a result of the government’s delay in paying the dues to the Gulf Insurance Group (GIG), the company that provides services to this category of citizens.

The sources revealed the Ministry of Health owes GIG, which provides services to retirees based on the ‘Afiya’ document, about 125 million dinars, noting that the ministry has not paid the company any money for nearly a year, specifically since the contract was extended last summer. In a related context, the sources indicated that the GIG is moving to amend its contracts with service providers from hospitals, health centers and clinics, so that dues are paid every 120 days instead of the current 45 days.

Retirees
It is noteworthy that the ‘Afiya’ contract has been in force since 2016, according to a law issued by the National Assembly, where more than 135,000 retirees enjoy health insurance service with health service providers in the private sector. Reliable sources said there is a possibility of the Gulf Insurance Group stopping the payments to the medical service providers in the country participating in the health insurance services contracts for retired citizens due to the failure of the Ministry of Health failure to make good financial obligations of millions of dinars for the past more than 9 months.

The sources indicated the Gulf Insurance Group is surprised by the failure of the Ministry of Health to respond to its requests submitted last February to pay contract obligations for the medical service providers and their urgent need for liquidity in light of the current circumstances. The sources pointed out that the delay by the ministry in paying the dues the GIG will be unable to fulfill its obligations towards medical service providers and other parties participating in the project. The sources hoped the Minister of Health will instruct the concerned authorities to pay the money due to the group as soon as possible, so that it can fulfill all its obligations towards all parties to the contract, stressing that it will continue to fulfill its obligations to all those who hold insurance policies from the GIG away from “Afiya”.

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