Deputy Minister of Health inaugurates scientific program on 'Essential Cultural Competence and Forensic Knowledge in Healthcare'

AbdulKarim Al-Abdullah: The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health, Sheikh Dr. Salman Khalifa Al-Sabah, emphasized the importance of integrating medical knowledge with effective communication skills and awareness of the legal aspects of healthcare practice, thereby contributing to safeguarding patient dignity, protecting their rights, enhancing professional protection for healthcare practitioners, and strengthening public trust in the healthcare system.

This statement was made during the opening of the scientific program titled “Essential Cultural Competence and Legal Medical Knowledge in Healthcare,” organized by the Kuwait Medical Association at the Medical Conference Center, under the patronage and presence of the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health, and with the participation of 552 medical and healthcare professionals.

Sheikh Dr. Salman Al-Sabah stressed that providing healthcare extends beyond possessing scientific knowledge and medical skills; it requires a deep understanding of patients’ cultural and social backgrounds, recognizing their expectations and needs, alongside adherence to the rights and obligations governing the relationship between patients and healthcare practitioners.

He noted that respecting patient privacy and dignity, and enhancing humanistic and professional communication with them, are two fundamental pillars of a more aware and responsible medical practice. He underscored the importance of disseminating legal awareness among healthcare sector workers, which supports professional practice safety and elevates the quality of services provided.

The scientific program highlighted several key topics, including understanding the culture of Kuwaiti patients and the specificities of the healthcare environment in the State of Kuwait, developing effective communication skills with patients and their families, and mechanisms for professionally handling difficult situations and challenges that healthcare practitioners may encounter while delivering care.

The program also addressed legal aspects related to medical practice, patients’ rights, and the responsibilities of healthcare practitioners, through a series of scientific lectures and practical workshops conducted in both Arabic and English, aiming to enhance knowledge, exchange expertise, and develop the professional skills of participants.

The organization of the program aligns with efforts to enhance the competence of medical and healthcare personnel, consolidate a culture of positive communication, and reinforce professional and legal compliance, thereby reflecting positively on the quality of healthcare and patient safety, and contributing to building a relationship based on mutual trust and respect between patients and healthcare providers.