Phone call from Kuwaiti emir HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani received a telephone call from the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah yesterday. They discussed bilateral relations and the latest regional developments.
ISO accreditation for QU department Qatar University’s Information Technology Services (ITS) department has attained ISO/IEC 27001 accreditation, a world-recognised standard for information security management systems (ISMS). This comes in recognition of the department’s successful establishment of an ISMS as part of QU’s commitment to protecting the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information of all its members. In implementing the system, the department adopted a risk management-based approach to information security that empowers QU’s administrative authorities to oversee and control the handling of its information assets. In addition to the ISO 27001 accreditation, the ITS department plans to pursue compliance with the Qatar Government Information Assurance (GIA) policy, whose features are considered to have more specific and stringent controls than the international standard. Concern over high prices of medicines A number of citizens and residents have expressed concern over the high prices of medicines in the local market, Arabic daily Al Sharq has reported. Some of the citizens have pointed out that prices are higher in Qatar than in the neighbouring countries. In particular, they refer to the “very high prices” of antibiotics and medicines for heart disease, weight loss and vitamins, the report states. They have urged the authorities to control medicine prices and impose stringent punishment and fines on pharmacies, agencies and companies that are not committed to the implementation of a unified price system, according to the report. Further, the citizens have called upon the authorities to take measures, including fixing suitable customs rates, to ensure that medicines are sold at price levels that are prevalent in the neighbouring countries in order to protect consumers, the report adds. Fahad al-Marri, a citizen, said medicine prices are much lower in the neighbouring countries and that the Consumer Protection Department should impose stringent punishment and implement necessary measures to protect consumers who are forced to buy medicines from abroad. Further, he suggested that the prices should be controlled through a proper monitoring mechanism (covering production and customs rates) and the specification of fair profits, instead of leaving the matter to agents and pharmacies, according to the report. Jabir al-Ajji, another citizen, attributed the high rates to the “monopolistic practices” of a few companies and called for proper competition between medicine importers and agents in order to help reduce medicine prices, the report adds. Food establishments shut in Wakrah Three food establishments have been closed down in the Al Wakrah Municipality area for violation of norms, local Arabic daily Al Sharq has reported. The three establishments are a cafeteria, a restaurant and a supermarket, the report states. The cafeteria was closed down for its failure to satisfy health requirements in the preparation of food items, existence of rotten food and proliferation of insects inside the kitchen, according to the report. The restaurant was shut down due to the existence of rotten food material, its failure to satisfy health requirements and for carrying out expansion and maintenance work during the preparation of meals, the report adds. The supermarket was closed down after expired and rotten fresh chicken, along with pieces that had their colour changed and had a foul smell, were found there, according to the report. Qatar attends meeting on crime prevention Qatar has participated in the preparatory regional meeting of Latin America and the Caribbean for the 13th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice to be held in Doha next year. The regional meeting, which was held in San Jose, Costa Rica, discussed topics on the agenda and its workshops tackled issues to be discussed at the Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. Representatives from Qatar’s foreign and interior ministries participated. Doha will host the 13th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in April next year.
Used items’ sale fuels disease fears A number of citizens have criticised the growing phenomenon of selling used personal items such as clothes, shoes and blankets in some markets, local daily Arrayah has reported. They argue that such practices can adversely affect the health of the community through the spread of infectious diseases, adding that most people who buy such goods are labourers due to their low prices. There is a need for raising awareness about the risks of buying used clothes and other personal items, they pointed out. The citizens have called upon the Ministries of Health and Economy & Commerce to adopt suitable measures to prevent the sale of used personal goods. The Ministry of Municipality & Urban Planning should also monitor markets to stop this practice, they felt. Health experts have warned that second-hand personal goods must not be used as they can lead to the spread of various diseases, including those of the skin.