Al-Husayni: Ministry of Health Supports Precision Medicine and Targeted Therapy to Improve Patients' Quality of Life

AbdulKarim Al-Abdullah: Kuwait Health officials affirm the Ministry of Health’s support for modern medical trends based on precision medicine and targeted therapy, alongside strengthening the concept of comprehensive, patient-centered care that addresses patients’ physical, psychological, and human needs. He emphasized the importance of keeping pace with scientific and medical developments to deliver more efficient and effective care.

This was stated by Dr. Munder Al-Husseini, Undersecretary of Public Health at the Ministry of Health, during his speech at the opening of the Second Scientific Conference on Proliferative Blood Diseases. The conference is organized by the Kuwait Leukemia and Lymphoma Association in collaboration with Jabir Al-Ahmad Hospital, with the participation of a distinguished group of experts, researchers, and specialists from within Kuwait and abroad, to discuss the latest scientific advancements in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of proliferative blood diseases.

Dr. Al-Husseini said that specialized scientific conferences represent an important opportunity to exchange knowledge, experiences, and clinical skills, and to discuss challenges facing medical specialties, leading to the formulation of practical and applicable scientific recommendations that contribute to developing the health system and enhancing the quality of services provided to patients.

He clarified that the conference’s themes focus on two fundamental shifts in modern medical practices. The first is the transition from traditional medicine to precision medicine and targeted therapy, which involves designing more specialized treatment plans for each patient based on their individual, genetic, and molecular characteristics, rather than providing the same treatment to all patients with the same disease.

He added that this approach contributes to improving treatment efficacy and outcomes, increasing recovery chances, and reducing side effects and complications associated with treatments, thereby positively impacting patients’ health and quality of life.

He pointed out that the second shift involves moving from a concept of treating patients to providing comprehensive care, where attention is not limited to medical indicators, laboratory results, and test outcomes, but also includes patients’ quality of life and satisfaction with health services, alleviating symptoms associated with the disease and treatment, and providing integrated care that considers their physical, psychological, and human needs.

For his part, Dr. Ahmed AbdulKarim, Conference Chairman, affirmed that the presence and participation of experts and specialists are a source of pride, noting that the goal of organizing the conference extends beyond holding a scientific meeting to opening doors for cooperation, enhancing solidarity, renewing communication among experts and specialists, and exchanging knowledge and experiences, thereby supporting the development of the field of blood diseases and their treatment in the region.

AbdulKarim said that the organizing committee was keen to continue the path of the first conference by organizing scientific meetings and sessions in recent periods, thanks to the efforts of the scientific committee members, expressing hope that the coming phase will witness further development and that these efforts will achieve a greater impact in the medical field.

He added that what doctors provide to patients is not limited to treatment, but also includes giving them hope and reassurance, helping them face the disease with strength and confidence, and improving the quality of their lives and that of their families. He emphasized that this message transcends the boundaries of the profession to embody the essence of medicine and its humanitarian mission.

For his part, Dr. Ahmed Al-Hariji, Vice President of the Kuwait Leukemia and Lymphoma Association, said that since its establishment in 2023, the association has set a goal of being a scientific platform that brings together blood disease specialists in Kuwait, connects them with the latest global scientific developments, and provides support to patients and their families.

Al-Hariji clarified that the association collaborated with the American Society of Hematology (ASH) to deliver scientific activities aimed at transferring global expertise to Kuwait and enhancing knowledge exchange among specialists. It also launched the “How I Treat” series, which allows scientists and experts to present

Their scientific and practical curricula on managing medical cases help physicians leverage advanced expertise and apply best clinical practices. Al-Harajji emphasized that the conference takes place amid rapid developments in understanding the molecular biology of proliferative blood diseases, assessing associated risks, and developing tailored treatment options and plans for each patient. He expressed hope that the conference’s sessions and discussions would deepen knowledge, facilitate the exchange of expertise, and strengthen collaboration among specialists, thereby positively impacting the quality of healthcare provided to patients.