By Khaled Al-Dihani
LONDON, March 28 (KUNA) -- The budget of overseas medical treatment for the oil sector's workers and their families for the FY 2014-2015 hit approximately KD 35 million (USD 116.7 million), a senior official of the Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) said.
The budget allocated for medical treatment abroad has covered the costs of treatment and daily allocations for patients and their escorts at hospitals and clinics in various European capitals and the US, the KOC's Deputy CEO for Administration and Finance Saad Al-Azmi told KUNA following a dinner party held by the KOC in London late Friday.
The event was attended by over 350 doctors, consultants and chiefs of British clinics and hospitals as well as companies and training centers.
Up to 600 patients were sent to several European countries and the US for medical treatment last year, Al-Azmi said, adding that 158 patients are still receiving treatment in Britain, the US, Germany, France and Spain.
The KOC is keen on providing high-quality medical services to all the workers of the oil sector both at home and abroad out of its social responsibility in spite of the fact it is specialized in oil exploration and production, he said.
In this context, Al-Azmi highly commended the KOC's overseas medical treatment committee's clarity, transparency and technical mechanism.
However, the KOC's senior official appreciated the great efforts of the KOC's hospital for struggling to offer better medical services by means of using the help of Kuwaiti and foreign efficient doctors.
Furthermore, the KOC is expected to inaugurate a new 300-bed hospital by the end of this year, Al-Azmi pointed out. (end) kd.mt