KUWAIT CITY, May 31: Kuwait’s cabinet on Tuesday said that the country has not seen any cases of monkeypox, a viral infection more common to west and central Africa, underlining that stringent precautions are already in place to keep the illness at bay. Holding an extraordinary meeting to discuss the virus, Health Minister Dr. Khaled Al- Saeed analyzed global statistics on the spread of monkeypox, which show that the virus has appeared in a growing number of countries. Health Minister Dr. Khaled Al-Saeed said that Kuwait was taking necessary measures to prevent monkeypox infections. Speaking to the KUNA and Kuwait State Television after the cabinet’s meeting, Al-Saeed reaffirmed that there were no reported cases of monkeypox in Kuwait.

On a different issue, Dr. Al- Saeed indicated that the Ministry of Health was ready for the 2022 Hajj season, revealing that plans were set to enable Kuwaiti pilgrims to perform this sacred Islamic ritual. Vaccinations for COVID-19 and other aliments as well as PCR tests will be readily available at health centers and clinics for pilgrims prior to their departure to the Holy Land in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

On national commitments towards Kuwait’s food security, the cabinet reviewed the objectives of an ad hoc ministerial committee tasked with looking into the matter, which include efforts to ensure the adequate availability of major staples. The cabinet went on to wish the newly elected municipal council success as the body seeks to bring the wishes and aspirations of Kuwaitis to fruition. Kuwaiti Cabinet ratified on Tuesday, in its extraordinary meeting at Al-Seif Palace, headed by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al- Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, a decree naming several members to be appointed to the Municipal Council.

Appointing four women as Municipal Council members is a "historic precedent", Minister of State for Municipality Affairs and Minister of State for Communications and IT Affairs Rana Al-Fares remarked on Tuesday. Al-Fares, in a press release, said the appointments show the necessity of empowering Kuwaiti women through selecting those skilled and qualified; help them practice their role in the council. She wished success to the new members at the council, which is likely to start its sessions in June. Earlier today, the Cabinet approved Tuesday a draft decree appointing Sharifa Al-Shalfan, Alyaa Al-Faresi, Munira Al-Amir and Farah Al-Roumi as council members, along with Ismael Behbehani and Abdullatif Al-Daie (KUNA)