Health Minister: Committed to keeping pace with rapid developments in diagnosing and treating gastrointestinal and liver diseases
Health Minister inaugurates the fourth conference of the Kuwait Gastroenterology and Hepatology Association
Translated by Qiyas from كويت نيوز — Original source
Kuwait’s Minister of Health, Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadi, affirmed on Friday the Ministry’s commitment to keeping pace with rapid advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal and liver diseases, as well as investing in national expertise and supporting training and scientific research to enhance the quality of healthcare services provided to patients.
This statement was made by Minister Al-Awadi during his speech at the opening of the Fourth Conference of the Kuwait Gastroenterology and Hepatology Association and the First Gulf Meeting on Gastrointestinal Diseases, held from November 12 to 14, with participation from numerous physicians and specialists from Kuwait and abroad.
Minister Al-Awadi noted that the Ministry of Health continues to expand the development of gastrointestinal, liver, and interventional endoscopy services across state hospitals to strengthen the capacity for diagnosing complex cases and providing the latest advanced treatment options with minimal surgical intervention.
He highlighted key medical achievements accomplished by Al-Amiri, Mubarak Al-Kabeer, Jabir Al-Ahmad, Farwaniya, Sabah, and Adan hospitals, as well as specialized centers, over the past year, noting the performance of more than 2,000 advanced interventional endoscopy procedures and 1,200 cases using endoscopic ultrasound.
He added that notable successes included the first endoscopic transgastric biliary drainage procedure without surgery at Jabir Al-Ahmad Hospital, as well as liver transplants and tumor and polyp treatments using the latest interventional techniques.
He emphasized that these achievements are not merely numbers or procedures, but are the result of dedicated medical, nursing, and technical staff working as a unified team to serve patients.
For her part, Dr. Hiba Al-Farhan, President of the Kuwait Gastroenterology and Hepatology Association and Conference Chair, stated in a similar address that Kuwait’s hosting of this scientific event, coinciding with the First Gulf Gathering on Gastrointestinal Diseases, represents a significant milestone in collaborative medical efforts and reinforces the country’s position as a hub for scientific cooperation and the exchange of medical expertise regionally and internationally.
She noted that the gathering brings together a select group of experts, physicians, and specialists from 10 countries: Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Egypt, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States, reflecting the conference’s scientific stature and the importance of building bridges of communication between Gulf and global expertise.
She added that the conference’s scientific program combines theoretical knowledge with practical application, launching with four specialized workshops covering liver diseases, scientific research, gastrointestinal motility disorders, and their diagnostic methods, alongside a workshop dedicated to nursing staff to enhance their skills in managing inflammatory bowel disease and interventional endoscopy, in addition to sessions and lectures presenting the latest diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
