Pros and Cons of Ministerial Appointments
When the Cabinet meets and concludes its sessions, or when ministers act individually, their decisions resonate with the public. Undoubtedly, writers will commend such actions, while decisions that harm citizens will be highlighted and their flaws exposed. This reflects a vibrant society that is engaged with events and views matters in a way that serves the nation.
For this reason, recent news has been welcomed and has resonated with the public. For example, the announcement regarding the imminent opening of Terminal 2 (T2) at Kuwait International Airport, which has been long awaited, is a positive development. This indicates the Cabinet’s continued follow-up and attention.
We are now awaiting the announcement of international airlines that will resume operations at the new terminal, and whether those that withdrew in recent years will return.
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Furthermore, the Ministry of Education has recently undertaken many positive initiatives that are commendable, with clear efforts toward development. Similarly, the significant efforts by the Ministry of Interior are appreciated for their tremendous activity. The same applies to the Ministry of Commerce, as well as the Ministry of Justice, whose excellent activities are evident to all in Kuwait.
This good work and the legislation that has been amended contain much that serves the citizen. While some aspects have merits, others have drawbacks. The important thing is to have legislation that serves the citizen, protects freedom of opinion, and develops the state in line with the continuous developments witnessed globally.
The Ministry of Public Works is also performing well, and the Minister deserves praise for it. Although our area in the Second Constituency was among the last to have its streets repaired, this is still a positive point credited to the ministry, not a negative one.
In the oil sector, we have noticed achievements, including the announcement of several major tenders and large projects. Naturally, everyone has noticed the efforts of the Armed Forces, the National Guard, and other security sectors, which have made significant contributions in recent months.
All of this represents positives that no one denies. However, at the same time, we must also address the negatives, which will be discussed on another occasion.
Today, I will speak about a positive initiative by the Ministry of Health: the reduction of prices for many medications.
This positive step has resonated with the public. It is a commendable effort by the Minister and the Ministry to provide us with high-quality medicines at reasonable prices. However, there is a point I wish to highlight. In a previous article, I wrote about the discontinuation of the "Afia" system, stating that there should be faster appointment scheduling for the elderly and retirees. Unfortunately, this has not been realized. Even today, many elderly people suffer from long waiting times to access healthcare services.
Waiting times in outpatient clinics remain excessively long, especially since the elderly often have health issues. Some are given appointments three months or more in advance. For example, over the past six months, an acquaintance of mine with heart problems was given an appointment more than a month later, despite his clear distress. When his condition worsened, he was quickly transferred to the emergency room, where doctors managed to stabilize him, as he had developed cardiac complications. Similarly, another elderly man with a hand injury was given an appointment three months later to treat his injury.
Therefore, we reiterate: while there is considerable effort by the Ministry of Health, and the Minister and his team deserve thanks, the question remains: although the "Afia" system has been abolished, conditions in outpatient clinics have not improved. The elderly and those with chronic illnesses cannot afford to wait for delayed appointments.
