MoH refers draft on medical error insurance to Fatwa Dept

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Minister opens int’l scientific confab on ‘Updates in Medicine’

KUWAIT CITY, Nov 25, (KUNA): Minister of Health Dr Jamal Al-Harbi said Friday his ministry referred the draft legislation on insurance against medical errors to the Fatwa (Legal Advice) and Legislation Department of the cabinet. “The department is supposed to study the legal, financial and administrative aspects of the draft as a prelude to referring it to the National Assembly,” he said.

The Minister made the press remarks following the inauguration of an international scientific conference on “Updates in Medicine,” being organized by Kuwait Medical Association (KMA) under auspices of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. “The draft envisages setting up an interdependence fund that will collect small fees from physicians, with a view to protecting them against harm relating to their profession. “It is on the agenda of the parliamentary committee on health,”

Dr. Al-Harbi revealed. He said the Ministry of Health backs KMA’s efforts to improve the health service and ensure the safety of patients as per the standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO). The minister delivered a speech to the conference on behalf of His Highness the Amir. In the speech, Dr Al-Harbi said “it is a humanitarian and professional responsibility for us to introduce the latest scientific and technological achievements to all medical specializations in the country.” He stressed the need of doubling the efforts to improve healthcare in order to support the country’s march towards sustainable development.

Upgrading
He praised the conferees for their great insight into upgrading the technological, scientific and technical aspects of the medical profession and sharing experience on the latest practices worldwide. He added that the ministry will tap into the outcomes of the gathering while updating its policies and protocols for healthcare and protection of patients’ rights.

Meanwhile, KMA chairman of head of the conference Dr. Mohammad Al-Mutairi extolled His Highness the Amir for his kind patronage of the event. He noted the KMA plays a growing social role on the local, regional and international scales, and takes part in international events meant to modernize the various branches of medicine. KMA, out of belief in the noble approach of His Highness the Amir to humanitarian action, signed an agreement with Doctors Without Borders (MSF) on cooperation to provide medical aid to victims of conflicts in several parts of the world, he noted.

Dr Al-Mutairi added that the ongoing conference gathered 600 physicians from the Arab region, the United States and Europe, with the number of doctors who registered into the webpage of the event amounting to 1,800. The agenda of the two-day gathering includes 40 lectures and 15 workshops. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has obtained approval from the State’s supervisory authorities for public hospitals to conduct bone surgery at a total cost of KD 9.8 million, reports Al-Qabas daily quoting sources.

Sources added the ministry will provide pharmacies of health centers and public hospitals with insulin injections for diabetes patients at a cost of KD 5 million. Sources said the importation of medicines is subject to strict supervision, including medicines for osteoporosis at a cost of KD 684,000. Sources revealed the ministry will provide pharmacies of health centers and public hospitals with asthma spray at a cost of KD 323,000 and ophthalmology medicines at a cost of KD 233,000. The Ministry of Health has affirmed the launching of e-health licenses program and this is considered the beginning of a quantum leap in the completion of procedures, reports Al-Rai daily quoting sources. Sources said this move reflects the quality of services provided by the public health sector and commitment to support the private health sector.

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