During the holiday, I found myself sifting through dozens of messages, videos, and comments regarding the termination of the “Afia” contract. As I delved deeper, it became apparent that the overwhelming sentiment among commentators and influencers was a call for the service to be stopped. They urged for a more efficient, equitable, and civilized health insurance system for everyone.
From my experience – and the experiences of thousands of others – what became painfully clear was how “Afia” had inadvertently dulled many Kuwaitis’ sense of responsibility towards public interest and fiscal prudence. Instead, it fostered a culture where fraud became not only acceptable but widespread.
The “Afia” system had emboldened many to manipulate its provisions, with people feigning illnesses just to benefit from it. Meanwhile, private clinics, hospital administrators, and even doctors found ways to exploit the loopholes for their own gain. Unnecessary surgeries were performed, heart stents were overprescribed, and medications were doled out in excess. Retirees, placing their trust in the medical system, unknowingly swallowed these pills, unaware of the potential side effects.
Dr. Mohamed Gamal, a well-known physician, shared his frustrations with the system. He despised performing surgeries on retirees unless absolutely necessary, but the pressures of “Afia” often left him in a moral bind. He recounted instances where, after receiving approval for a surgery, he would open a patient’s abdomen only to find that multiple other procedures were needed.
At that point, he had a difficult choice: stick to the pre-approved procedure and leave the patient’s other issues untreated, or spend additional hours addressing everything and then face a battle with the insurance company to get compensated for the extra work. In his words, the system put him in a dilemma -- should he do his duty as a doctor, or prioritize the insurance company’s red tape?
As a result, the “Afia” system had not only drained public funds but also eroded the integrity of both patients and medical service providers. Hospitals became hubs for unnecessary treatments, patients began viewing visits as social outings, and some even went as far as selling the medications they received.
One commentator, Sadiq, shared his experience of going for physical therapy. The hall was packed, and when he asked a European specialist if all these patients truly needed treatment, he was stunned by the reply. Most were from the “Afia” program, simply using their 12 free physical therapy sessions to get massages instead of real medical treatment. The system was a win-win -- for everyone except public funds.
Sadiq also highlighted that Kuwait, despite having a substantial network of public hospitals, boasts one of the highest proportions of private hospitals in the world. It’s an irony not lost on many.
As a retiree who benefits from this system, I don’t seek to defend the Canadian company that holds the majority stake in the insurance provider. But the truth must be said: the problem lies in the system designed by the ministry. It’s flawed and has been abused by all sides. It has corroded the ethics of many, prioritizing financial gains over genuine healthcare.
Former MP Alia Al-Khaled was one of the few who recognized the dangers early on. She took a stand against the “Afia” law in the National Assembly, being the sole voice of opposition. She foresaw the problems, but, as is often the case, reason was drowned out by the masses. Now, the consequences are evident for all to see.
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The photos and videos showed that the waiting rooms in clinics and hospitals were empty of patients, compared to the days of “Afia”!
This means: either the diseases suddenly left the bodies of the retirees, or they found the solution somewhere else, or a large percentage of them were cheating!
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