The National Initiative for Social Equity has launched its health scheme to open a chain of pharmacies in numerous undeveloped districts to provide free medicinal supplies to needy families. Supervisor Hadeel Bughari said support for the scheme had come from the Ministry of Social Affairs. “We are still waiting, however, for the go-ahead from the Ministry of Health for private-sector financing of the project.” It is hoped that the free pharmacies will help impoverished families and reduce the pressure on public hospitals and clinics. The Ministry of Health has meanwhile started a home medical care program to provide care to persons who are unable to travel to hospitals or clinics for health reasons. Instead, specially trained medical teams will be sent to their homes.
