KUWAIT CITY, Oct 28: Minister of Health Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi has announced the digital transformation of all administrative correspondence across all health sectors, from division heads to the minister’s office. This is the first digital transformation undertaken by the Ministry of Health since its creation.

In the next two weeks, a new step will be taken in this direction. In a press release issued to announce the opening of the 2nd Kuwait Public Health Conference, titled “Public Health Challenges and Proposed Solutions”, the minister revealed that 70,000 employees, including technicians, administrators, nurses and other health professionals, received training on the new electronic system. He affirmed the effectiveness of electronic systems in hospitals and administrative sectors, highlighting the restoration of these systems in most primary health care centers.

Dr. Al-Awadhi claimed that around 90 percent of the ministry’s electronic systems have been restored. He highlighted the Ministry of Health’s commitment to service and development, as well as its integration into digital health. The minister expressed gratitude for the trust of political leaders and the directives of the Prime Minister. Regarding the conference, Dr. Al-Awadhi affirmed Kuwait’s commitment to strengthening the prevention of infectious diseases through vaccination. He highlighted the introduction of the human papillomavirus vaccine to prevent several types of cancers, an initiative that placed Kuwait among the leading countries to adopt this vaccine for the health of its population. The minister highlighted the enormous efforts made over the past eight years to combat winter respiratory diseases, which have resulted in a notable reduction by more than half in infection and mortality rates. He revealed that the ministry had successfully vaccinated more than two million citizens and residents against influenza and pneumonia.

In a speech he delivered at the conference organized by the Public Health Department of the Ministry of Health regarding the most pressing health issues affecting individuals and society, Dr. Al-Awadhi explained that the timeline vaccination system has been updated to improve the prevention of infectious and dangerous diseases. , in line with the progress made by developed countries in this crucial area. Recent pandemics, such as COVID-19, have highlighted the importance of early planning and international coordination in combating cross-border diseases. It is important to prioritize early diagnosis and treatment, as well as understand the value of scientific research and global collaboration. It is also important to develop plans to protect the health of tourists, prevent the transmission of foreign diseases, provide medical advice and establish health regulations adapted to new challenges. Dr. Al-Awadhi emphasized that modern innovation and technology are essential to improve health services, improve response times to medical emergencies and provide unprecedented opportunities to create effective health surveillance systems that provide personalized care tailored to the needs of individuals and communities. .

Furthermore, Director of the Public Health Department and Chairman of the Conference, Dr. Fahad Al-Ghamlas, affirmed that the health crises that the world has faced in recent decades, such as the emergence of new epidemics and Pandemics, as well as the transmission of diseases from animals to humans, highlight the importance of the public health sector and its essential role in safeguarding community health. He emphasized that public health is not limited to the prevention of infectious diseases, as it also includes areas closely related to community health, such as environmental health and sanitation. Dr. Al-Ghamlas explained that Kuwait has made remarkable progress in all medical fields, including public health. The Department of Public Health aligns with the general direction of the state and has adopted a decentralized approach to the delivery of health services. This includes expanding the creation of medical testing centers for expatriates and the creation of health clinics for travelers.

The department’s future plan includes expanding medical testing services for food handlers and other relevant categories, including citizens and expatriates, as well as increasing the number of tuberculosis control centers. The digitization of services provided to the public constitutes an absolute priority for the department, with the aim of facilitating access for visitors in collaboration with the competent authorities. A system has been put in place to enable digital scheduling of appointments to carry out tests for expatriates, food handlers and other groups. Health certificates can now be obtained and results accessible via the Sahel government application, as well as the availability of electronic vaccination certificates on the Ministry of Health website. Dr Al-Ghamlas affirmed the department’s commitment to expanding the digitalization of services and staying in tune with the latest scientific developments, adding: “This will be achieved through collaboration with regional and international organizations to improve the delivery of services, as well as through continuing education. for staff and the adoption of modern protocols and programs adapted to the specializations of the department.

By Marwa Al-Bahrawi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff