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FREE Established 1961 Friday ISSUE NO: 17782 RAJAB 8, 1440 AH FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2019 Kuwait announces $300 Social network outage triggers World Cup expansion to 9 million aid to Syria 10 moans and soul searching 47 dominate FIFA agenda in Miami Govt policies limited foreigners, access to basic services: US Report See Pages 6 & 7 2 Friday Local Friday, March 15, 2019 Health insurance PHOTO OF THE DAY on visitors Local Spotlight By Muna Al-Fuzai [email protected] Ps and the government - represented by the Mhealth ministry - are seeking to impose health insurance on visitors to Kuwait. The parlia- mentary health committee referred to the National Assembly a report on health insurance for foreigners and the imposition of fees for health services. The pro- posal was unanimously approved by members. The report referred to the amendment of some pro- visions of law 1/1999 on health insurance for foreigners to include people who come to the country temporarily to the beneficiaries of health services under the health insurance system. It called for the prevention of granting visas to foreigners coming to Kuwait on temporary vis- its if they do not obtain health insurance covering their duration of stay in the country. Supporters have said the proposal is an economic project that will bring new resources to the state and achieve several goals, including involving the private sector and the alleviation of pressure on government hospitals. It is universally known that travel insurance is one of the most important types of insurance, yet most people usually hate it and only buy it if forced by the KUWAIT: The super moon illuminates the sky over Kuwait City. — Photo by Jassem Al-Motar (KUNA) country to which they plan to travel. This document is a mandatory requirement in many countries. Embassies of European Union countries require a comprehensive insurance certificate covering health insurance throughout the duration of stay. I think 50% fewer expats in it is the right of any country to claim the value of health- care services, whether the traveler needs it or not. The Kuwaiti health minister said some people have been five years? Come on! entering the country for years to benefit from health services. Now there is a link between the manpower authority and the interior ministry, and by the beginning of April, the electronic connection will be complete and IN MY VIEW active, and will show if a person holds valid residency and health insurance. Some expatriates wonder about the KD 50 they pay by Nejoud Al-Yagout annually in health insurance, especially since they are forced to pay additional fees for treatment and labora- [email protected] tory tests. I think it’s a worthwhile question. For years, the state has taken health insurance from expatriates, but where are the results of these funds, and what read another disturbing article about expats. This time, eyes. Tears for all the families who read the article, won- effects these fees have on raising the level of health IMPs are calling on the government to cut the number dering whether they are next. Tears for the nativism that services? of expatriates by 50 percent within the next five years. seems to have taken effect. Tears on behalf of my ances- And one of the MPs stated that a reason expats come to tors who were ambassadors of coexistence. Tears that in I know that some people do not like to talk about Kuwait is for a better life. Well, of course, that’s what they five years there may be fewer expats in my country. mandatory health insurance for both visitors and resi- are here for. Who else would choose to uproot their lives 50 percent in five years? Do you know what we could dents, but most countries today don’t offer free medical in their home countries if they had it good? That’s why we do in five years instead of blaming foreigners for issues treatment to residents or visitors, and they must have all emigrate, to find better lives for ourselves and families. that are ours alone? We can focus on sustainable medical insurance to cover their treatment. I believe We Kuwaitis know what it is like to live outside our resources, build resorts, enhance tourism, promote medical treatment has turned into a source of income country, but we were quite fortunate that the invasion women’s rights, eradicate discrimination, clean up our sea, for countries and even given the title of medical tourism. only lasted seven months. And fortunately, we were reduce the use of plastic and plant more trees. Do you I think the entry of the Dhaman company for health treated well by citizens and governments of other know what we can do in five years? We can improve edu- insurance will bring positive change, because it will nations, because that’s what we should do as human cation, expand the cultural and arts scene and make histo- exempt people from paying the KD 50 fee, which does beings - let others know that our country is their home ry as a nation built on love and harmony. So much can be not benefit expatriates, and replace it with real insur- away from home. done, but it seems that berating expats is our wag the dog ance to benefit the holders. I cannot bear to read these articles about expats any- tactic to avoid cleaning up the mess we have made, a mess more. In fact, while I am writing this, I have tears in my that can take five years to clean up if we start now. Friday 3 Local Friday, March 15, 2019 Diversity: Is it all that? IN MY VIEW into nature’s artistic masterpiece. It shows of each other. She then introduced me to her judgmental. Cultural diversity in the work- how contrasting colors, when combined, friends, and they to their companions; and I place enables nations to introduce new form a rainbow. And similarly with humans, ended up meeting amazing people who are innovations, and assist immigrants in By Ashlyn Sequeira even though we are all born from the same now all my friends. This change, even though exchanging ideas and resources in the labor source we are born with different character- was difficult in the beginning, was worth it. force. This assists the global economy and [email protected] istics and talents; when we embrace our tal- I feel like this change was necessary for human capital. Diversity also plays an active ents and individuality and use it for the best me as it helped me become a better person role in society as it prevents us from being eople: you and me. We are completely in groups or individually, we become the and has also taught me ways to communi- ignorant of the different races and this pre- Pdifferent from one another in various best at what we do. cate with people who are different to me, vents misconceptions about other communi- ways, but at the end of the day, we are At school or at work, we meet many peo- age wise and culturally. Diversity led me to ties and helps us become more open-mind- the same, hypothetically speaking. Although ple and talk to them, bond with them and call curiosity, which enabled me to understand ed and welcoming. This also teaches us to we are the same, made of the same flesh and them our buddies. We all have our moments and respect various cultures and languages be respectful and understanding of the bone, we have different body structures, skin but stand together as one while including from the different parts of the world since I diverse society we live in and could lead to and we are born in different societies; and our features and flaws. met people from all over the world. everlasting peace in the future between dif- no matter what happens or how much we I have experienced the beauty of diver- Diversity is most important in schools ferent nations as the barrier that was initial- want to be someone else, we can’t, but we sity. I had recently changed schools and and workplaces in Kuwait and other coun- ly present would be erased. can definitely learn from them. was the new kid. It was weird for me since I tries as it acts as the basic foundation for As Gandhi would say: “No culture can Individuality is a unique trait which unites met many people who weren’t of my education for the future generation and live, if it attempts to be exclusive.” It is time us together. We are all unique and we meet nationality. But it was also an opportunity helps the youth learn more about the differ- to include all diverse members of society as people who have different opinions and to step out of my comfort zone. I met peo- ent societies and prevent them from being one whole. ideas. We adapt to this diversity and learn to ple of many nationalities namely: accept. This is what makes us a team, Americans, Italians, Koreans, Egyptians endeavoring to reach prosperity. This kind of among others. Getting used to this environ- attitude can be seen in governments, nations, ment was new for me, but as I came to companies and even families. In times of know them, everything changed. trouble, we join our heads together, try to Initially, I stood out like a sore thumb. It think of new innovative and mind-blowing was difficult making new friends since I knew ideas that solve problems in an instant.

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