‘Public security’ employees to be added for fingerprint attendance

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 16: Minister of Health Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadhi, has issued a decision endorsing a set of stipulations and guidelines essential for the licensing of private health facilities, reports Al- Seyassah daily This initiative is part of the broader objective to empower local medical expertise and enact the provisions of Law No 70 of 2020 concerning the practice of the medical profession, its allied professions, and the entitlements of patients and healthcare establishments.

In a statement, the Ministry outlined that the decision encompasses various categories of facilities, including medical and specialized centers, day surgery centers, dental clinics, general medical and physical therapy centers, nutritional wellness centers, radiology facilities, prosthetic centers, remote care units, telemedicine facilities, and private clinics. The regulations underscore that at least one of the owners listed in the contract for establishing medical companies must be a Kuwaiti doctor.

Additionally, the facility cannot be sublet or utilized for investment purposes by any entity other than the licensed owner. The regulations are comprehensive and are categorized into five sections – general prerequisites for health facility licensing, the licensing procedure, essential requisites, the encompassed centers, and the mandatory conditions for licensing a private dispensary. These endorsed regulations are a vital step in structuring civil institutions and bolstering healthcare services, providing a foundation for organized and efficient delivery of healthcare within the nation. Centers included in the decision are single day operations, dentistry, physiotherapy, health and nutrition, X-rays, artificial limbs, remote care, communicable diseases medicine, and private dispensaries. Meanwhile, starting either at the end of this month or the end of October, employees working in the public security sector – officers, military personnel, professionals, and civilians, will be covered by the fingerprint attendance system, reports Al-Anba daily.

A reliable source told the daily, that this fingerprint system – hand and face recognition – has already been installed in collaboration with the Information Systems Administration and is designed to ensure accurate attendance and departure records for every individual, granting allowance exclusively to eligible persons. The source clarified that the fingerprint system for civilians in the public security sector is integrated with the overarching system at the Civil Service Commission.

Consequently, its application will be in coordination with the CSC, which will directly oversee the deduction of days when an employee is absent. Additionally, collaboration with the Info Systems will enable adjustments for officers, soldiers, or professionals who are unable to work due to partial or complete detention. Furthermore, the source mentioned that starting in October, the traditional paperwork will be replaced by the electronic version. This transition aims to ensure the integrity of records for leaves, attendance, and patrol assignments.