Ministry of Health Launches Workshop to Develop Staff Skills in Data Analysis

Kuwait City, September 29 (KUNA) -- The Ministry of Health launched today a three-day training workshop on the Microsoft Power BI program for data analysis and visualization. Organized by the General Administration of External Health Affairs and International Health Relations in collaboration with the Digital Health Sector, the workshop is attended by more than 20 employees from the External Health Sector and its affiliated entities.

In a statement to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Assistant Undersecretary for External Health Services Dr. Hisham Kalander emphasized that the patient is the central focus of any development within the external health sector. He noted that enhancing employees’ capabilities in monitoring and understanding data contributes to more accurately identifying patient needs and improving the services provided to them.

Dr. Kalander clarified that developing procedures and follow-up mechanisms directly impacts the patient experience. Leveraging data enables a deeper understanding of patient needs, allowing development efforts to be directed toward areas that have a tangible impact on service delivery. He added that digital transformation is not limited to implementing modern systems and technologies; it also involves developing work methods and utilizing information for planning and decision-making. He affirmed the External Health Sector’s commitment to being an active part of the Ministry’s digital transformation agenda and to leveraging technology to enhance the efficiency of procedures and follow-up, in integration with the Digital Health Sector.

He stressed that investing in employees is a fundamental component of developing work in the external health sector, achieved by adding digital and analytical skills to existing expertise, preparing the next generation of employees for future work requirements, fostering a continuous culture of learning and development, and empowering staff to use modern tools in their daily work. He pointed out that the Microsoft Power BI workshop represents a part of this investment.

Dr. Kalander noted that the true value of data is realized when users can understand it and leverage it to identify needs and priorities. The workshop aims to shift reliance from abstract numbers to understanding their meaning, using data to determine needs and priorities, and providing decision-makers with clear information for planning, decision-making, performance measurement, and monitoring the impact of implemented developments, as well as identifying areas requiring intervention or improvement.

He mentioned that the External Health Sector aspires to launch platforms related to overseas treatment, agreements, organizations, insurance, health guarantees, and international health relations.

For his part, Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Hinidi, Director of the Insurance and Health Guarantee Administration, stated in a similar remark that organizing specialized training courses aligns with the development of the health system and the Ministry’s vision for digital transformation. He explained that these courses primarily focus on handling big data and utilizing advanced analytical platforms such as Microsoft Power BI to support data-driven decision-making.

Dr. Al-Hinidi highlighted that the Administration holds a large volume of data, necessitating the training of national cadres on the mechanisms for collecting, analyzing, and accurately presenting data to decision-makers. He noted that this intensive three-day course includes direct practical applications using real data from the Administration to enhance employee readiness and develop the institutional work environment in the future. (End) M.N.M.