Jumaa to Al-Jarida: New specialized clinics to be launched in health centers soon
Dr. Nadiya Jumaa, Assistant Undersecretary for Primary Health Care Affairs at the Ministry of Health, affirmed that primary health care represents the “first line of defense” in managing chronic diseases and mitigating their complications. She highlighted the ministry’s commitment to investing in primary health care clinics and expanding the specialized services offered to patients, noting the launch of new specialized clinics that will be announced soon as part of the expansion of primary health care services for the 2026/2027 fiscal year.
Speaking to Al-Jarida on the sidelines of an awareness event organized by the Department of Prevention and Response to Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases in cooperation with the Cardiac Unit at Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital, as part of the Gulf Week for Cardiovascular Disease Awareness, and in the presence of Dr. Nida Abul Hasan, Director of Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital, Dr. Jumaa stated that the ministry is moving toward making primary health care clinics comprehensive and integrated in delivering services to patients. This approach aims to address the patient holistically, encompassing their medical, social, and psychological well-being, within a framework of cooperation and integration between primary and secondary health care.
She added that the ministry is working to enhance services through specialized clinics addressing various risk factors and chronic diseases, including obesity clinics, smoking cessation clinics, and clinics for chronic diseases and diabetes, with the goal of managing these conditions and limiting their complications. She noted that the primary care system includes 108 diabetes clinics, a similar number of chronic disease clinics, 38 smoking cessation clinics, and 30 obesity clinics distributed across various primary health care centers to address cases of anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and depression.
She pointed out the ongoing communication and coordination between these clinics and hospitals, as well as the existence of other specialized clinics dedicated to managing diabetes and chronic diseases.
Returning to the event, Dr. Nadiya Jumaa explained that it is part of Kuwait’s participation in the Gulf Week for Cardiovascular Disease Awareness, held annually from September 12 to 18, with the aim of enhancing community awareness of risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases and promoting healthy and preventive behaviors.
