Lawmakers lash out at ministry over coronavirus

Lawmakers lash out at ministry over coronavirus

By B Izzak

KUWAIT: Lawmakers yesterday strongly criticized the government and the health ministry for allegedly failing to handle the coronavirus pandemic amid a shortage of vaccinations. The Ministry of Health has already rescheduled the timing of the second vaccination after the first to four weeks instead of three for Pfizer and to four months instead of three for AstraZeneca due to shortage of supplies. It exempted people above 60 and those with chronic diseases from the extension.

MP Abdulkarim Al-Kandari criticized the failure of the health ministry to notify people about the second doze of the vaccination even if the reason was shortage of supplies from manufacturers, adding that the ministry should have provided people with full information. The lawmaker said the government continues to mismanage the coronavirus pandemic with confusing decisions like banning those who have not been vaccinated from travel and at the same time allowing expat teachers to return although the school year is about to finish.

Decision “unconstitutional”

MP Muhannad Al-Sayer described the handling of the coronavirus issue as “bad” especially with regards to vaccinations which are not available now. MP Osama Al-Shaheen said the decision to bar unvaccinated citizens to leave the country is unconstitutional and the prime