HRH the Premier yesterday instructed Health Minister Dr Faisal Al Hamer to upgrade the Salmaniya Medical Complex Accidents and Emergency Award.
Chairing yesterday’s Cabinet session, he also gave directives to step up control and follow-up of health services provided to citizens.
The session discussed ways of further improving health services, stressing the need to provide high standard healthcare.
It also discussed precautionary measures undertaken by the health authorities to confront seasonal diseases, including swine flu (H1N1).
“The session’s keenness to ensure proper preventive measures are put in place follows reports of H1N1 confirmed cases in certain countries,” Cabinet Affairs Minister Shaikh Ahmed bin Ateyatala Al Khalifa said.
Bahrain’s strategic stocks of food, goods, water, medicine and fuel also came under scrutiny.
The session discussed ways of ensuring the longevity of strategic stocks for Bahrain to be more secure. The panel discussed several proposals and instructed the ministerial committee for public utilities and the civil defence council to gauge them further.
The session discussed government subsidies for fuels, services and social insurance, including food and merchandise.
It reiterated its resolve to ensure subsidies benefit low-income households and social categories which are most vulnerable.
It commissioned the financial and economic affairs committee to draw up a comprehensive mechanism for subsidies to reach the targeted sections of society.
Deputy Premier Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa updated the weekly session on Bahrain’s participation in the Arab Summit and the Arab-African Summit, recently held in Sirte, Libya. His Majesty King Hamad had delegated Shaikh Mohammed to represent him at both events. Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa submitted two reports in this regard.
The session stressed Bahrain’s belief in the importance of Arabs cementing their unity so that they could promote their vital interests and defining causes with one voice.
It also stressed the importance of promoting Arab-African co-operation in all fields, paying tribute to Libya for ensuring the success of both summits.
The session then discussed and approved other issues and memoranda featuring on the Cabinet meeting’s agenda.
It approved a draft law on adhering to Cartagena protocol on protecting biodiversity and biosafety. Legal and constitutional measures will be taken.
The session discussed and referred to the legislative authority draft laws on real estate development and the amendment of certain articles of the penal law.
The session gave the green light for Bahrain to host the “Open Door Knowledge Economy Days”. The move follows a request submitted by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.
Municipalities and Agriculture Minister Juma Al Ka’abi updated the session on his visit to the EU Commission and the World Organisation for Animal Health in Paris. He updated them on Bahrain’s efforts to contain, and eventually eradicate glanders.
Oil and Gas Affairs Minister and National Oil and Gas Authority chairman Dr Abdulhussain Mirza briefed the session on his participation at the GCC oil committee’s meeting in Kuwait.
The Session heard an update by Culture Minister Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa on results of her participation at the 16th GCC culture ministers’ meeting in Kuwait.
Gulf daily