KUWAIT CITY, Jan 27: The total number of cases involving the withdrawal and loss of citizenship related to the Public Authority for the Disabled has risen to 1,119, reflecting an increase of 303 cases from the previous week. These cases are distributed as follows: 322 for people with special needs, 514 for those responsible for their care, 264 for caregivers, and 19 for employees.

Sources indicate that the number of citizenship withdrawals has increased by 80 for individuals with disabilities, 145 for their caregivers, and 74 for those responsible for the disabled. The increase in cases for employees was relatively small, with only 4 additional cases. The number of individuals whose citizenships are withdrawn is expected to continue to grow in the coming days, as the Supreme Committee continues to issue decisions and decrees on the matter.

The Authority receives periodic updates on those whose citizenships have been withdrawn, and cross-references this information with its own records to take appropriate legal action. This process follows the loss of citizenship, which previously allowed individuals to receive financial and in-kind benefits as outlined in Law No. 8/2010 regarding the rights of persons with disabilities.

The Authority is preparing a list of stateless retired individuals to be submitted to the General Organization for Social Insurance. Sources confirmed that all sectors of the Authority are carefully reviewing the names on these lists, sorting through those that are relevant to their departments, and taking appropriate action based on their new status. The review is being conducted in accordance with applicable legal frameworks and the Council of Ministers’ instructions to ensure that no one is unfairly treated.

Despite the citizenship withdrawal, financial and in-kind benefits will continue for disabled individuals, provided they present proof of their original nationality and other required documents. However, caregivers whose nationality has been revoked will no longer be eligible for retirement benefits, which are reserved for citizens. The Authority also emphasized that if any individual is found to have forged nationality documents, all financial benefits will be immediately stopped.

Additionally, the Authority is compiling a list of retired employees affected by the citizenship withdrawal decisions, which will be submitted to the General Organization for Social Insurance. The number of affected employees may exceed 40. For those employees whose citizenship has been revoked, the Civil Service Bureau will be contacted to assess their current status. If they are still treated as citizens, their financial benefits will continue. Otherwise, they will be employed under assistance contracts.

In other news, the Public Authority for the Disabled has launched Tender No. 7 - 2024/2025 for the establishment and design of a medical sector automation system. The specifications for the tender are outlined in the conditions booklet and documents, which can be obtained from the Authority’s headquarters in Hawalli at the Tenders Department. Specialized companies and institutions are invited to submit their bids in sealed envelopes, including a certificate of fulfillment of the national labor percentage, which must be valid for one year. Bids will not be accepted after the deadline of February 9, and any bid that does not include the original and a copy of the receipt for the conditions booklet will be excluded.