Abu Dhabi // Federal National Council members are to discuss the military-service law and coverage for people receiving medical treatment abroad at Tuesday's session.
Other topics that will be broached include the delay in the opening of several Ministry of Health centres, as well as the progress of a Government-run centre of excellence.
The main point of conversation will revolve around mandatory military service. First discussed in January, all Emirati men between the ages of 18 and 30, or those who have completed secondary school, will be required to sign up for military service. They must have a record of good conduct and be medically fit to serve.
FNC members will be looking for answers to six questions put forward to three ministers – including the issue of Emirati patients who have told members of the financial pressures they face when seeking medical care abroad.
“I have received information from some patients that some financial allowances are not enough for them,” said Ali Al Nuaimi (Ajman). “I hope the minister will be present to explain if the ministry has any technique to revise the financial allowances that are issued.”
He said expenses vary from country to country and over different time periods.
“For example, in the UK, expenses from two years [ago] were different than they are now ... so, this requires seasonal revision and amounts should not be fixed.
“The patient or the person accompanying him might not be able to deliver his voice to the minister, so it is important that the council delivers the message,” Mr Al Nuaimi said.
Mona Al Bahar (Dubai), head of the education, culture, youth and media committee, questioned the Minister of Health, Abdulrahman Al Owais, on a number of health centres across the country that were delayed in opening.
Mr Al Nuaimi also put forward a question, regarding a centre for government excellence, to Mohammed Al Gergawi, the Minister of Cabinet Affairs.
The Cabinet made the decision to initiate the centre last June. When complete it will oversee all Government excellence programmes in the country, such as the Khalifa Awards, and will be responsible for making sure all Government departments are on track to keep standards high.
“I call to activate the excellency centre because during the Government Summit, there was big focus on upgrading Government performance.
“The centre will unify all existing standards for excellency programmes and unify their work and coordinate between them ... because any Government party that deals with the public is expected to provide the best of services,” said Mr Al Nuaimi, who also asked Mr Al Gergawi when the centre would be up and running.
Another question sent to the Minister of Cabinet Affairs, by RAK’s Abdulaziz Al Zaabi, touched upon “liberating trade”.
Mr Al Zaabi said no one should have a monopoly on selling goods.
Previously, in 2005 and 2009, the Cabinet issued a decree that certain foods were to be sold at competitive prices and not by one body.
Mr Al Zaabi said that since the last decree other products were no longer monopolised, but more needed to follow.
“So new legislations need to be issued and to pick the high-demand consumer products and make them available for any merchant to provide because a monopolising agent controls the price and then it won’t be available for people with limited income.
“For example, there were many foodstuff items monopolised by one agent and he was controlling the price, but when they were released, there came competitive offers and prices to allow all consumers to purchase them,” he said.
During the session, reports issued by various FNC committees will also be reviewed. These will include recommendations by the Islamic affairs committee on the policy of the Federal Electricity and Water Authority, the social affairs committee’s report on the Ministry of Social Affairs’ policy regarding social insurance, and the health committee’s reports on the Ministry of Health’s policy and overall growth of the health sector.
hdajani@thenational.ae
