Appointments, dismissals of officials and advisors
the ministry of health recently approved the implementation of the “healthy cities program”, in line with a community initiative launched by the world health organization (who).
the initiative aims to enhance the quality of life for residents by integrating health into all aspects of urban life. this includes improving living, working, and educational conditions to ensure community well-being, enhancing collaboration among various sectors and communities to achieve a unified vision, and promoting self-reliance and self financing for the initiative.
the program will be implemented by registering the city as a member of the “who regional network of healthy cities”, following the successful completion and application of the criteria set by the organization.
the criteria include important pillars through which new kuwait 2035 vision for health can be realized. the program offers effective mechanisms to address complex health challenges that go beyond the capacity of traditional healthcare systems in the country.
it is an ambitious and demanding program, and its success will largely depend on the competence and qualifications of those tasked with managing it. achieving its goals will not be easy, and one important requirement is full proficiency in english, given the project’s collaboration with international organizations.
previous governments have repeatedly appointed individuals to various roles, including ministerial positions, only to later discover that the selections were flawed. these issues often stem from political controversies, problematic past positions, or judicial rulings, issued or expected to be issued, that could legally prevent the appointees from assuming or continuing in their posts if found guilty. as a result, many are dismissed either before the appointment process is completed or shortly after taking the constitutional oath.
these missteps have sparked widespread criticism and highlight shortcomings in the selection process. they point to a lack of due diligence by many ministers and advisors, underscoring the need for greater care in choosing candidates based on integrity, qualifications, and competence.
it has been observed that some officials have begun appointing advisors or assistants who not only lack the necessary competence but have also been previously convicted of dishonorable conduct.
this phenomenon recently resurfaced with the appointment of a female doctor to a prominent position. tweets circulated on social media about some of her political views, which were highly critical of the government. she was subsequently dismissed from her post.
some supported the dismissal, citing her prior public statements and opinions as offensive to the government. others saw her twitter posts as an expression of “freedom of opinion” that did not warrant termination, viewing the ministerial response as an overreaction, especially since it was prompted by demands circulating on whatsapp.
a third group believed that a minister or government’s response to social media posts, if the criticisms are valid, is understandable and not entirely unjustified.
this situation highlights the true role of social media, particularly in the absence of oversight bodies such as the national assembly. what happened underscores the growing influence of public opinion.
