When the doors of the banks are thrown open, and people are allowed to withdraw money without question, blessed by the National Assembly and government's approval, the banking system will inevitably collapse sooner or later. If you voice objections to this risky course of action, neither the people nor the government and National Assembly will likely accept it, potentially leading to unnecessary hostilities. Those who genuinely care for your well-being will advise you to steer clear of topics that offer temporary gains while jeopardizing the long-term interests of our homeland, which stands as a resilient pillar for us all.

The current situation bears some resemblance to the concerns voiced by patriotic economists, who caution against the haste to open budget chapters today rather than tomorrow. Several economists have expressed their apprehension regarding such proposals, driven more by the pursuit of votes than genuine concern for the country's future. These concerns have been articulated through numerous columns and interviews, yet the wave of profligate proposals continues unabated. As a medical doctor, I can personally attest to an issue within my field: The extravagant spending on medical treatment abroad.

This too often occurs under pressure from certain members of parliament, with the government's leniency in approving overseas treatment and the ease of sending citizens abroad for medical care. While this arrangement satisfies most MPs, the government, patients, and their families, the true loser is our nation, which hemorrhages nearly one billion dollars annually, much of it unnecessarily. These funds could be channeled into crucial state projects grappling with budget deficits.

Let us not forget another beneficiary of medical treatment abroad: Western hospitals that Kuwait indirectly supports, helping them offer better healthcare services to their own populations. Regarding the drawbacks of overseas medical treatment, the first casualty is the patients themselves. Many of them can receive equally effective, if not superior, treatment in Kuwait. Medical care is a comprehensive system in which psychological, social and human aspects play a pivotal role in recovery.

Patients treated in their home country, surrounded by family and friends, have an entirely different experience from those isolated in a foreign environment where they may not hear the call to prayer or their native language spoken. Moreover, they often encounter numerous bureaucratic hurdles in pursuing their rights. Another casualty in this scenario is the healthcare system that the state has invested heavily in, training numerous Kuwaiti doctors, pharmacists, technicians, nurses, administrators, researchers and others to provide excellent and world-class services.

Unfortunately, confidence in these professionals has eroded, as patients increasingly seek medical care abroad. The intention here is not to promote medical treatment in Kuwait, but rather to highlight a scientific fact supported by evidence: Many cases have seen more efficient treatment within Kuwait. However, this doesn't mean that citizens with complex cases lacking expertise in Kuwait shouldn't be sent abroad to receive specialized care, a practice embraced by all countries worldwide. Our top priority should be the health of our citizens, rather than focusing solely on their votes, desires to travel abroad or political interests.

Ensuring the well-being of our citizens entails providing them with the best opportunities for treatment and recovery. Certainly, mistakes can occur in Kuwait, as in any other country, and statistics on medical errors are available on the Internet for all countries, including the ones our patients frequently travel to. Criticizing healthcare services is a global phenomenon, but enlightened societies address these issues constructively and do not divert their resources to support another country's healthcare system.

The culture of complaining is pervasive worldwide, and we too share in it. Those who are dissatisfied often voice their concerns loudly, while the content remain silent. This ultimately results in a significant loss for our nation. This message is directed to the Kuwaiti citizen, for it is they who possess the solution. The mismanagement of funds takes various forms, and this is but one aspect of the larger issue. I leave it to the economists to explore the other dimensions of this problem, as their expertise in this field far surpasses my own.

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