KUWAIT: Minister of Public Works and State Minister for Housing Affairs Dr Jenan Bushehri approved the lists of outstanding performance for 1,168 employees at the housing care authority. The total rewards are KD 675,000 - KD 1,500 for the first group and KD 1,250 for the second group, all the way down to KD 200 according to the job grade. Rewards of all expat advisors were reduced from KD 1,500 in past years to KD 800 this year. Meanwhile, an official at the Civil Aviation Directorate said the directorate is evaluating 3,600 employees to grant those who deserve outstanding work rewards at the start of June.

Ramadan preparations
Social affairs ministry spokesman and assistant undersecretary for cooperative affairs Abdelaziz Shuaib said the ministry has completed its preparations for the holy month of Ramadan. He said the cooperative sector followed efforts with regards to the Ramadan basket cooperatives present to their shareholders each year. He said the price of the basket varies between one co-op and another according to the policy of the board of directors and according to the contents of the basket.

Kuwait Food Bank announced a partnership agreement with Jahra Governorate that aims at presenting social and charity initiatives and programs in order to improve social action in the governorate and help needy families. The bank said the partnership is within the cooperation framework between Kuwait Food Bank and Jahra governorate. The agreement was signed in the presence of food bank officials represented by Deputy Chairman Meshaal Al-Ansari and General Manager Salem Al-Hamar, Jahra Governor Nasser Al-Hajraf and other officials.

Ansari said as per an initiative by Hajraf, clear procedures were set through which social work can be improved in cooperation with the food bank in order to support needy families to improve their living conditions. He said the partnership between the food bank and Jahra governorate will have a positive impact in supporting needy families, especially areas with a high population density, where individuals need help to improve their living situation. Ansari appreciated instructions of Hajraf in increasing the understanding of social responsibility, his support of the food bank's efforts and affirming its balance in serving the Kuwaiti society, which is a model that should be followed at the regional level and Gulf region in particular.

Mock drill at Ibn Sina Hospital
Kuwait medical emergencies department carried out a mock evacuation exercise at Ibn Sina Hospital as part of the health ministry's strategy to qualify government hospitals workers to implement, activate and upgrade emergency plans. Assistant health ministry undersecretary for allied medical services Dr Fawaz Al-Rifae said the medical emergencies department, with the participation of Ibn Sina Hospital, carried out an evacuation and moved patients of other wards who were not affected, while some cases were transferred to supporting hospitals. He said the department participated with its teams and ambulances in coordination with the hospital, adding that these mock exercises aim at keeping hospitals ready for any emergency.

By A Saleh and Meshaal Al-Enezi