Kuwait Times

Published Date: March 16, 2009
By Hussain Al-Qatari, Staff writer

KUWAIT: Kuwait's population growth, aging society, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and obesity will bring about a tremendous demand for an efficient medical care system, a study said. In the study presented at the opening of the two-day Health Reform 2009 conference yesterday, analysts from Kuwait Medical Association forecasted a growing demand in Kuwait's healthcare needs in the foreseeable future.

The event, which was organized by the Kuwait Medical Association, witnessed participation from hundreds of doctors, surgeons and medical experts from Kuwait and the region. A number of medical experts from Europe, Asia and the US took part in the forum, which was held at the Sheraton Diamond Ballroom. The event features lectures, presentations, workshops and an accompanying exhibition.

Speaking to the Kuwait Times on the sidelines of the event, Dr Mohammad Shamsah, General Secretary of Kuwait Medical Association, said "Currently, Kuwait is funding most of the healthcare financial assets and operating expenditures. However, we see that the government alone won't be able to meet this demand.

His words were echoed by the findings of the report. In its report, the association concluded that the only way to provide for Kuwait's health care needs without adversely affecting economic progress is to increase bilateral participation between the private and public sectors. "When we attract partners who can bring world-class medical knowledge, management skills and capital to the sector, we will be able to make first-rate health care available to everyone living in Kuwait," said Shamsah.

In his opening remarks at the start of the conference, Minister of Health Roudhan Al-Roudhan expressed his optimism for the future of Kuwait's healthcare system, stressing that he has faith in the efforts and dedication of the organizers of the conference. "We will have dialogue with Kuwait Medical Association board members to study their reform proposals," he said to the press.

The word from the minister

Speaking to Kuwait Times after the opening ceremony, the minister expressed his contentment with the level of advancement in the displayed medical products. "The products are highly developed and we will put as much effort as we can to be able to one day use them for the benefit of Kuwait's residents, whether nationals or expats," he said.

Al-Roudhan admitted that the Ministry of Health may face a crisis in the coming days, especially with the nearing of the summer season. "We are expecting problems, particularly with air conditioning and electricity. We are taking precautions, but we also understand that things cannot be repaired in one day; we need time to rise up with the system.

Answering Kuwait Times' question regarding the subject of the alleged malpractice incident at Jahra Hospital, the minister refused to comment but said a statement would be released in the next few days with the results of the ministry's investigation into the matter.

Speaking at the opening ceremony yesterday, Dr Ali Al-Mukaimi, President of Kuwait Medical Association, said he believed in the Ministry of Health's dedication to improving the status quo of the health sector in Kuwait. "Our faith in minister Roudhan Al-Roudhan and the qualified staff of the Ministry of Health is strong. In order for us to refurbish this dilapidated sector that is vital to our country, we must exert every effort and draw on every resource available to us," said the head of the conference's
organizing committee.

A highlight at the event was the so-called telepresence technology that allows doctors to supervise the condition of their patients abroad. Dr Edgar Jimenez who is visiting from Orlando, Florida introduced the patient-supervision system. Dr Jimenez demonstrated the use of the latest technology by supervising patients' cases remotely. With live audio and a video broadcast from an Orlando clinic, he made a tour around the ICU ward, checked the vitals of patients and interacted with nurses and doctors. The me
thod, he says, is suggested to replace costly treatments abroad, for which the Kuwaiti government pays millions per year.

Such expenditures, in addition to the need of a reform of the health care infrastructure in Kuwait were some of the challenges that the organizers and participants at the event set forth to discuss.

For example, Kuwait Medical Association's General Secretary Dr Mohammad Shamsah said that the association put together a proposal for the problems that face today's medical sector. "We hope that the conference's transparent dialogue will bring about reform in the health care system and will not remain just words on paper. We, as well as the people of our country, are fed up with all the nonsense that's going on in the Parliament. We have a proposal for solutions to improve the situation. We, as experts, se
e this as the key for a brighter future.

In his words, hosting such an event in Kuwait is a sign that there will be change. "Change is not too far from becoming a reality in our hospitals," said Hani, a medical student at Kuwait University who attended the event with two colleagues. "It is not impossible for us to start having these advanced technologies for treatment instead of traveling outside the country for them," he added.

The study's findings

Some other findings of the study included the partnership between the private and public sectors. For example, the association suggested the implementation of an insurance system in the country for Kuwaitis and non-Kuwaitis alike. "This will alleviate the overload of patients in the public sector and shift patients to the private sector without placing strain on the lower and middle class residents of Kuwait," said Shamsah.

The agenda issued by the association includes a number of articles that, according to the analysts, will help create a high-standard health care system in the country. "The sector is a sunken ship that needs serious rescue," said Shamsah.

Overall, the agenda of the event includes a new plan for the organizational structure of the Ministry of Health, where hospitals will have independent budgets and where hospital top management will have complete decision-making power with regards to the financial, operational and clinical performance of their hospital. It also sees necessary the building of new hospitals instead of refurbishing current hospitals; building new hospitals with international standards and high architecture, according to the re
port, ensures long-lasting buildings that attract medical tourism.

Shamsah spoke about the importance of coordination between the hospitals and the Ministry of Health. "It is not acceptable that the ministry has 13 assistant deputies who do not work in sync. We are talking about the health sector, here. The health of an entire country!" he exclaimed.

To reduce the high costs that the government is paying for treatment abroad, the KMA suggests introducing mobile robotic technology in different hospitals, where the world's best medical experts can give consultancy and assist in performing surgeries. The association believes that this will reduce costs and allow for world class institutes to assist local doctors around the clock.

The agenda also suggests opening nursing schools affiliated with the Ministry of Health for Kuwaiti and non-Kuwaiti students, with partnership with international medical schools in order to produce high-standard graduates, save costs and establish a high reputation for Kuwait's medical sector in the region.
With regards to administrative jobs in the medical field, the KMA sees the importance of implementing high-standard information technology. This, the agenda states, will reduce errors and reduce the costs that administrative jobs cost from the ministry's budget.