KUWAIT: Minister of Health Sheikh Dr Basel Al-Sabah has assured the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in Kuwait is manageable. The ministry is monitoring on daily basis some cases of those who had contacted infected people, Sheikh Basel said in an extraordinary cabinet meeting held Monday at Dar Salwa under the chairmanship of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

The minister, however, warned that the crisis might worsen in the coming two months as the pandemic is still spreading across the world. After these two months, the number of new infections is expected to slow down before taking a downward curve, he projected. Sheikh Basel said that Kuwait is ready to secure any vaccine for the deadly virus once it becomes available. Kuwait has secured malaria and HIV medicines, which are used to help suppress symptoms of the infection, he unveiled.

Sufficient stockpiles
Meanwhile, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah has assured that Kuwait has huge and ample stockpiles of food and medicine. "We have huge food and medicine stocks, but we have to manage it wisely," he said during the extraordinary cabinet meeting His Highness the Premier, however, urged rationalization of consumption to avoid squandering these stockpiles.

He also noted that the government is counting the number of Kuwaitis abroad and coordinating with the Ministry of Health to prepare for their evacuation and the medical producers which they will undergo upon their arrival. "We can now say that we are ready for their return soon," Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled stressed. He, however, admitted that nobody knows how long this crisis will last and how hard will it be Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said that the government is taking necessary measures according to the developments to protect people's safety.

Kuwait now is in this phase of virus containment and the Ministry of Health has conducted tests for enormous number of people and is about to conclude this phase to pave the way for evacuation of Kuwaiti abroad, he clarified. His Highness Prime Minister thanked His Highness the Amir for his wise directives, and unlimited backing to the government during this delicate time. He also conveyed the cabinet's gratitude to National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem and all lawmakers for their support to government.

The premier spoke highly about the efforts and sacrifices of the emergency teams in the first and second lines of confrontation against the deadly virus. He pointed out that the government has put in place the emergency plan from the first day of the coronavirus outbreak, but "we are facing a relentless and ruthless enemy, so our measures should be also ruthless." He lauded the cooperation of citizens and residents to implement the preventive measures. His Highness the Prime Minister also was grateful to the private sector, civil society and ordinary people's backing to the government.

Wise directives
Also during the meeting, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah extolled his Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's wise directives to the government on tackling the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. His Highness the Crown Prince also praised His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled and his government and all those who are offering sacrifices to protect the dear homeland. He also lauded the government and the National Assembly constructive cooperation during this critical time.

In the meantime, National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem expressed gratitude to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for his directives, instruction and successful management of novel coronavirus outbreak crisis. Ghanem also thanked His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for his efforts in this regard. The chief lawmaker apprised Kuwaiti people unity and their support for their political leadership and government to implement all preventive and precautionary measures, "which are sometimes harsh," to contain the virus.

Ghanem voiced great appreciation of the tremendous efforts exerted by His Highness the Prime Minister and his inter-agency team to counter the coronavirus challenge. He also spoke highly about the lawmakers' backing to the government during the current crisis. He unveiled that several meetings were held recently between the government and lawmakers.

During these meetings, the lawmakers conveyed to the government several proposals to consider and briefed it about Kuwaiti people's feedback about the recent decisions, he said. Ghanem also thanked all medical teams and their supporting teams especially volunteers who stand in the frontline against the respiratory disease as well as donors and residents who support the government's efforts. - KUNA