KUWAIT, June 16 (KUNA) -- His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah on Tuesday stressed on necessity of ongoing cooperation between the Government and the National Assembly for maintaining health guidelines and placing public health above all considerations.
His Highness the prime minister, addressing a regular parliament session, indicated that he had addressed a message to the assembly requesting presentation of the government stance toward the issue of holding parliamentary sessions, in light of the efforts against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
The message was addressed, he noted, with aim of maintaning the cooperation, adhering to the health instructions .. "for public health comes first and if there is no possibility to hold the National Assemblu sessions virtually, there should be special sessions, along with specifying the topics (to be examined) as well as the duration to accomplish what is required in a matter of two to three hours." His Highness the prime minister re-emphasied necessity to hold the sessions in shortest possible time, along with compliance by the health directions so that the National Assembly and the Government present themselves as an example to be followed .." "Let me be frank, I am currently focusing on the number of beds available at the hospitals for those infected as well as those in the intensive care (wards) and the breathing apparatuses," he said, also noting his special attention to maintaning sufficient medical teams, doctors and nurses and passing the crisis with the least possible damage."
His Highness the prime minister, in his address to the legislators, urged them to tackle and discuss matters quickly and set an example "to those whom we have imposed on a curfew and remained in their houses for 20 days." "The State of Kuwait has not reached the safe zone in facing the coronavirus yet," he declared, confirming health authorities' statistics that the infection cases reached some 37,000 and deaths nearly 300.
Intensive care wards are occupied by 44 percent and this should be taken into consideration and pursue the work with the same spirit in the coming period, Sheikh Sabah Khaled added.
The prime minister attributed large numbers of coronavirus infections among citizens to non-abidance by the health regulations.
He further noted the government deep concern with the recent hike of infections among the citizens and re-stressed on the necessity of cooperation between the government and the parliament. (end) ns.rk