Kuwait's Digital Healthcare System Experience Presented to Arab Health Ministers Council

Kuwait showcased its experience in developing a digital healthcare system by leveraging artificial intelligence and launching smart applications that enable citizens to complete their health transactions, access their medical records, and monitor their treatment needs both domestically and abroad.

This presentation was delivered by Dr. Hisham Kalander, Assistant Undersecretary for External Health Services at the Ministry of Health, on Tuesday, as part of the proceedings of the 65th session of the Arab Ministers of Health Council, held at the headquarters of the Arab League. The presentation covered three main pillars: digital empowerment of healthcare service beneficiaries, enhancing the use of artificial intelligence in the healthcare sector, and external health services through the Virtual Health Office.

Regarding digital empowerment, Dr. Kalander presented the “Salam” application as an interactive platform for beneficiaries that consolidates healthcare services in one place and provides a medical record linked to all Ministry of Health systems. It also offers approximately 100 electronic services, including electronic payment and the aggregation of data from eight separate systems covering hospital appointments, outpatient clinics, primary healthcare, and radiology.

Concerning AI in healthcare, Dr. Kalander highlighted several existing initiatives, including “Salam Bot,” a smart health assistant that helps app users understand and analyze their health information, while emphasizing that it does not replace a doctor’s consultation.

He added that these initiatives also include the “Rapid AI” system, which uses artificial intelligence to assist in diagnosing ischemic strokes through non-contrast CT scans, as well as the use of AI techniques in colonoscopy for the immediate detection of tissue abnormalities. These technologies are currently undergoing advanced testing and clinical evaluation in Kuwait.

He also pointed to the use of the medical version of “ChatGPT” to help users access, communicate about, summarize, and translate their health records via text and voice, clarify prescriptions and medications, explain usage methods, and provide health guidance and advice. He stressed that these services are intended for awareness and information purposes only and do not substitute for consultation with a doctor or pharmacist.

Dr. Hisham Kalander noted that statistics on “medical evacuation” from 2020 to 2025 showed that more than 350 medical cases were transported via “medical evacuation aircraft,” and over 1,000 patients traveled to and from Kuwait accompanied by medical crews from more than 30 countries, around the clock and throughout the year.

He added that managing emergency cases and covering treatment costs for citizens abroad involved more than 50 countries over the past five years.

Dr. Kalander outlined future directions aimed at expanding access to healthcare services from within Kuwait while maintaining care quality through virtual clinics and telemedicine, and enhancing electronic integration with healthcare institutions.