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No fee rise in private clinics and hospitals

By MOHAMMED IQBAL DOHA: In an unprecedented move, the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) has stopped any further increase in prices of private clinics and hospitals until the proposed national health insurance scheme is fully implemented. The decision is driven by an enormous increase recently in requests from private healthcare facilities seeking permission to hike fees, a senior SCH official said yesterday. The Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety Department at the SCH has issued a circular to all these facilities, saying the department will not accept any fee increase requests “until completion of application of the health insurance system”. The circular was based on a decision (No 10) taken earlier this month by the Permanent Licensing Committee (PLC) at the SCH. “The only exception to this decision is adding new medical services after getting the required approval from the department,” said the circular. The department which is responsible for licensing and monitoring private healthcare facilities has also asked them to strictly comply with the approved price list. All private clinics and hospitals are required to submit their detailed price list to the department for approval. They cannot impose any hike in the approved prices if not sanctioned by the SCH. Dr Jamal Rashid Al Khanji, Director of the Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety Department, told The Peninsula that the PLC had acted tough to stop any unjustified increase in the prices. “We have been flooded with requests from private clinics and hospitals to raise fees and most of these demands are unjustified. “All facilities are seeking major increases without any valid reasons. The PLC felt the need to intervene to protect the interests of customers. “The SCH is not authorised to fix prices, but can freeze them to prevent a further hike, if there is a need,” said Al Khanji. “Through this move, the PLC wants to send a strong message to those facilities that are trying to hike their fees without any justification,” he added. He said those facilities that are adding new services may be given permission to revise their fee structure, after a through scrutiny. “This is an exception to the rule, but we will also check if anyone is trying to misuse this by manipulating their prices and services.” He said the decision will also apply to new facilities. “Before granting approval, we will scrutinise their prices to ensure they conform with the prices existing in the market.” The first phase of the national health insurance scheme is to be implemented very soon, but it would take two to three years to fully implement the system. Asked no facility will be allowed to raise their fees during this whole period, Al Khanji said: “The insurance scheme will standardise the healthcare services and fees in the country and the decision could be reviewed once we have a clear idea about the market. Then we will be able to accurately assess who is charging more and who is charging less.” He said all facilities have also been asked to prominently display their prices for information of the customers. “Big facilities like hospitals may have practical problems in displaying the full price list with their hundreds of services. We have asked them to keep a comprehensive file for reference by the customers. The customer has the right to know the fee for each service, before availing of it. If they have any problem in accessing the information, they should immediately launch a complaint with our department,” he said. The Peninsula/QNA

Bayern win Champions League

Bayern Munich's German defender Philipp Lahm lifts the trophy after the UEFA Champions League final football match between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich at Wembley Stadium in London yesterday. LONDON: Bayern Munich overcame the heartbreak of losing two finals in three seasons by beating Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in a memorable all-German Champions League final yesterday to become European champions for the fifth time. Goals from Croatian Mario Mandzukic after 60 minutes and Dutchman Arjen Robben, with a stunning 89th-minute solo strike, settled a superb final after Dortmund had levelled with a 68th-minute penalty from Ilkay Guendogan. The victory kept alive Bayern’s hopes of a treble as they have already won the German league title and face VfB Stuttgart in the Cup final in Berlin next Saturday. “It’s a final, we were at the same level, we both had our chances,” Robben told ZDF German TV. “I was able to push the ball through at the end. It means a lot to me. It’s still hard to fathom. I’ll be able to put it in words later. There are so many emotions right now, it’s incredible. “So many people told me I’d score a goal tonight. the first few chances I missed. I got another chance at the end and took advantage of it.” The match, played at a ferocious pace, was full of superb attacking football and seemed destined for extra time until Robben burst through a gap in the defence and rounded outstanding Dortmund keeper Roman Weidenfeller to score. Dortmund began at blistering pace which they maintained for almost 30 minutes with Marco Reus and Robert Lewandowski pulverising the Bayern defence. Lewandowski had the first of their seven first-half scoring chances, powering in a 30-metre shot which goalkeeper Manuel Neuer turned over the bar for a corner.Reuters

...worth a thousand words: World Press Photo winners in Doha

By Isabel Ovalle It is said a picture is worth a thousand words. This is borne out by the World Press Photo 13 exhibition, which is on in Doha until June 5, aiming to inform and inspire an understanding of the world through photographs. The annual show is held at about 100 venues all over the world, with 15 sets of the exhibition travelling to various cities. This is the third time it has come to Doha. It is being held at the premises of hosts Qatar Photographic Society, located in building 18 of Katara Cultural Village. This year’s event includes more than 150 photographs, including the winning photo and award-winning images from each of the nine categories in the World Press Photo Contest. Each year, photojournalists, photo agencies, newspapers and magazines from all corners of the world submit entries in the nine categories: Spot News, General News, Sport Action, Sport Features, Contemporary Issues, Daily Life, Observed Portraits, Staged Portraits and Nature. An independent international jury, consisting of 19 members, judges the entries. This year’s competition attracted 5,666 photographers from 124 countries, but there were no Qatari participants. In total, 103,481 images were entered in the contest. The jury of the 56th World Press Photo Contest selected a picture by Paul Hansen of the Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter as the World Press Photo of the Year 2012. The picture shows a group of men carrying the bodies of two children through a street in Gaza City. Two-year-old Suhaib Hijazi and his elder brother Muhammad, almost four, are being carried by their uncles to a mosque for their funeral while their father’s body is carried behind on a stretcher. Suhaib and Muhammad were killed when their house was destroyed in an Israeli missile strike. Their injured mother was put in intensive care in a hospital. The picture was taken on November 20, 2012 in Gaza City, Palestinian Territories.The jury gave prizes in the nine categories to 54 photographers from 33 countries: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Jordan, Malaysia, Mexico, Palestinian Territories, the Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, USA, and Vietnam. Many images exhibited this year are from the siege of Aleppo in the Syrian civil war. Among them are two photos by Javier Manzano from Mexico, winner of the third prize singles for Spot News Stories. One of them transports the viewer to the side of Free Syrian Army rebels just after their entry into Aleppo, Syria’s largest city. Another of his shots shows a rebel fighter examining the impact of a rocket propelled grenade, giving a glimpse of the destruction in the commercial capital of the country. Other shots show Barcelona on March 29, 2012, the day of a general strike in Spain, in a photo by Emilio Moneratti, and gangs in El Salvador, in Tomas Munita’s photo, which won the third prize stories award in the Daily Life category. The happier shots are from the Sport Action category, like those of the Australian synchronised swimming team at the London Olympic Games, taken by Wei Zheng from China, and of sumo wrestlers, taken by Dennis Rouvre from France, in the Sport Features category. Ahmed Yousef Al Khulaifi, chairman of Qatar Photographic Society, said, “the exhibition will be here for about three weeks. We invite everyone to come to Building 18. I recommend starting with the sad photos and concluding with the happy ones in the left wing.” Information is provided alongside the images, while an Exhibition Guide in English is also available. For the 2013 exhibition tour, World Press Photo is offering a free and updated mobile Exhibition Guide. This application, which is available for both iOS and Android smartphones, enables users to learn more about the exhibited photographs. It enhances the viewers’ experience by allowing them to listen to captions, read the photographers’ biographies and find out more about the equipment used. After their visit, guests can view their favourite photos again and continue the experience online. The Peninsula

Qatar keen to meet India LNG demand

Minister of Energy and Industry H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB DOHA: The negotiations between India and Qatar to supply an additional three to four million tonnes (mt) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) a year, are still going on, the Minister of Energy and Industry H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada said. Al Sada, while speaking to The Peninsula on the sidelines of an agreement signing ceremony held to set up ‘Nebras Power’ company, said that Qatar was also keen to meet India’s growing LNG demand, and dialogue between the two parties were on. Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL) and some private companies from the energy-starved economy, which sources nearly 13-14 percent of Qatar’s LNG exports, has sought an additional Qatari gas, but talks are lingering over a mutually agreed pricing. Asked if price was the main factor for the delay in additional supply of gas to India, the Energy Minister said: “There is no specific reason for the delay. Qatar shares a special relationship with India. Demand for LNG in India is increasing, and we are discussing with the parties to supply more gas.” According to reports, the delay in the proposed deal is learnt to be due to pricing, as Qatar is asking for a price which is 15 to 16 percent of the Japanese Crude Cocktail (JCC), the average price of customs- cleared crude oil imports to Japan, while India is willing to pay 14.5 percent of JCC. Qatar, taking a cue from the rapidly changing global energy dynamics, is shifting its LNG export base from Europe to Asia. The share of Qatar’s LNG exports to Asia has reached 73.5 percent in January 2013 witnessing a sharp jump of over 30 percent as compared with 56.4 percent in 2012, according to Barclays’ latest market research. The LNG shipment from Qatar to Japan increased 4.1 mt, or 35 percent (year-on-year) followed by South Korea (+2.9 mt) with 37 percent increase, and China (+2.7 mt) witnessing a massive growth of 118 percent. Meanwhile, the UK suffered by far the largest losses of Qatari LNG last year, down six mt, or 37 percent, from 2011. Recent developments in the energy markets, especially due to a silent revolution in the production of unconventional oil and gas (shale) in the US indicate that foundations of global energy system are shifting rapidly in favour of importers as they have a better bargaining position. This major shift is driven by three important factors, one of them being surprising increase in oil and gas production in a few courtiers such as the US, Canada and Iraq. “We expect a significant increase in oil and gas production in these countries which will change the dynamics in the global energy market soon,” Dr Fatih Birol, Chief Economist at International Energy Agency (IEA), said during a presentation of Global Energy Outlook 2012 in Sweden recently. Secondly, after the Fukushima incident in Japan, there is a retreat from nuclear power in some countries such as Germany and Switzerland. And, very recently, Japan, a major nuclear energy reliant country, announced that by 2030, it will have zero nuclear power in its energy mix. And, thirdly, analysts suggest that the recent fuel efficiency standards for cars, particularly in the US, will further shift the global energy dynamics. In addition, natural gas prices in Europe are five times those in the US, and eight times those in Asia. This big difference in gas prices in the US and the rest of the world is very critical, providing price competitive edge to the US. The US, the world’s largest energy consumer, and until recently the world’s largest energy importer, has witnessed a rapid growth in unconventional oil and gas production. And experts believe that within the next five years, it will become the world’s largest oil producers replacing Saudi Arabia, something that was difficult to imagine few years ago. “The centre of global energy is moving from West to East. Until mid 1970s the OECD countries consumed two third of global energy, but very soon its share will decline to one-third; and people in China, India and the Middle East, in search of better life, will consume more of energy,” added Birol. The Peninsula

New norms soon to save power, water

DOHA: Qatar has one of the highest per capita electricity and water consumptions in the world and to reduce the average, the country has completed technical studies that would help it frame new standards and specifications for air-conditioners and lighting systems to ensure they are energy-efficient. New guidelines on what kind of air-conditioners and lighting systems will be required in the country to prevent waste and save energy are being prepared and expected to be ready for implementation soon. They will also cover water consumption and prescribe upgraded standards and specifications for taps and distribution systems within homes, offices and other commercial establishments, government ministries, industries, schools, mosques and other places. Utility distributor Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramma) is developing the guidelines and they will be implemented as soon as they are ready, hopefully within this year, it is learnt. Ministries and offices are likely to be covered in the initial phase of the implementation of the guidelines. Kahramaa then plans to rope in the private sector in its energy and water-saving campaign. The plan is to reduce per capita electricity and water consumption by 20 percent and 35 percent, respectively, over a five-year period. Kahramaa is also conducting studies to encourage the use of solar water heating systems in homes, industries and commercial establishments, among other places. The energy-saving drive has already been introduced to industries that are major consumers, accounting for a 35 percent share in total consumption, and per capita consumption of both the precious utilities is already down two percent. The corporation plans to soon invite tenders for installing energy-efficient air-conditioning and lighting as well as water dispensing systems in schools and mosques all over the country. The idea is to reduce water and electricity consumption by four and 37 percent, respectively, in these places where the utilities are supplied by the corporation free. It has said it will be training its staff to monitor effective implementation of its energy-efficiency drive and arm them with judicial powers to act against violators. The Peninsula

Attacks on Muslims rise after Woolwich murder

Floral tributes for Drummer Lee Rigby, of the British Army's 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, are lined at the scene of his killing in Woolwich, southeast London LONDON: Anti-Muslim attacks in Britain have soared since Wednesday’s murder of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich. Faith Matters, an organisation that works to reduce extremism, said it had been told of about 150 incidents in the last few days, compared with four to eight cases before Wednesday. Director Fiyaz Mughal said incidents were happening on the streets and online. “What’s concerning is the spread of these incidents. They’re coming in from right across the country,” he told the BBC. “Secondly, some of them are quite aggressive; very focused, very aggressive attacks. And thirdly, there also seems to be significant online activity… suggesting co-ordination of incidents and attacks against institutions or places where Muslims congregate.” Police have reported several arrests since Wednesday. Benjamin Flatters, 22, from Lincoln, was arrested on Thursday after complaints were made to Lincolnshire police about comments made on Twitter that were allegedly of a racist or anti-religious nature. A second man was visited by officers and warned against his activity on social media, according to the police. The charge comes after two men in Bristol were arrested and released on bail for making alleged offensive comments on Twitter about the murder. A 23-year-old and a 22-year-old, both from Bristol, were held under the Public Order Act on suspicion of inciting racial or religious hatred. The Guardian

Green areas may be mandatory in in new buildings

DOHA: The Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning is studying a proposal to make it mandatory for all new buildings to include green areas in their design. It part of a plan to expand green spaces across the country under the Qatar National Vision 2030, Al Sharq reported yesterday. The ministry will soon start work on 45 new public parks. Renovation of the Al Munataza park, one of the oldest, is also expected to begin in a few months. The ministry is also working on a plan to provide cooling system in some parks, the daily said, without giving details. There are also plans to install equipment for physical exercise and provide Internet facility in more parks. The Peninsula

Two-child limit for Myanmar Muslims

Sectarian violence first flared nearly a year ago between the region's Rakhine Buddhists and Muslim Rohingya [EPA] London: Muslims in a province of Myanmar have been ordered not to have more than two children in an attempt by the government to stop Buddhist attacks on Muslims. State officials said the two-child limit in Rakhine would ease tensions between Buddhists and Muslim Rohingya neighbours. Local officials said the new measure was part of a policy that will also ban polygamy in two Rakhine townships that border Bangladesh and have the highest Muslim populations. Buthidaung and Maundaw are about 95 percent Muslim. The measure was enacted a week ago after a government-appointed commission investigating the violence issued proposals to ease tensions, which included family planning programmes to stem population growth among minority Muslims, said Rakhine state spokesman Win Myaing. The panel also recommended doubling the number of security forces in the volatile region. “The population growth of Rohingya Muslims is 10 times higher than that of the Rakhine (Buddhists),” Win Myaing said. “Overpopulation is one of the causes of tension.”The Guardian