RIYADH – Saudi patients referred for treatment abroad will now get SR600 per day as subsistence allowance which covers their children as well, according to amendments to Articles on the coverage of expenses of Saudi patients and their companions. The Council of Ministers, chaired by Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, approved Monday amendments which also allow the payment of SR300 per day for patients receiving treatment at their residence or staying outside the hospital in the Kingdom. The coverage includes the children of patients. The companions of Saudi patients receiving treatment in the Kingdom will get SR300 per day and those accompanying Saudi patients for treatment abroad will receive SR600 per day. The Cabinet approved a cooperation agreement between the Kingdom and China for the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Last year, Saudi Arabia and China signed an agreement to enhance cooperation between the two countries in the development and use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes. The deal establishes a legal framework that strengthens scientific, technological and economic cooperation between Riyadh and Beijing, according to a joint statement issued on Jan. 15, 2012. It seeks to enable cooperation in areas like maintenance and development of nuclear power plants and research reactors, and the manufacturing and supply of nuclear fuel elements. Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Abdulaziz Khoja told the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) that the Cabinet approved the authorization of the Minister of Foreign Affairs – or his deputy – to discuss with the Board of Directors of the Monetary Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) a draft headquarters agreement between the Kingdom and the GCC Monetary Council. The Cabinet strongly condemned attempts to undermine security and stability in Bahrain, and reiterated its condemnation of acts of terrorism that threaten the safety of citizens and residents. The Cabinet was briefed on the conferences, exhibitions, international forums, programs and scientific, economic, health, cultural and sports activities held in the Kingdom this week, lauding the directives included in the statement of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah before the Third International Education Forum and Exhibition and the opening of the First International Conference to Employ Technology to Serve People with Special Needs. – SG
