Kuwait Showcases Its Digital Healthcare Experience Before Arab Health Ministers
Assistant Undersecretary of Health Dr. Hisham Kalander presented Kuwait's experience in digital empowerment and external health services before the Arab Health Ministers Council
Translated by Qiyas from السياسة — Original source
-100 electronic services via the "Salem" app... and leveraging artificial intelligence to develop outpatient treatment services
Kuwait showcased its experience in developing its 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, during the 65th session of the Arab Ministers of Health Council, held today, Tuesday, 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 health sector, and external health services through the Virtual Health Office.
Regarding digital empowerment, Dr. Kalander presented the "Salem" application as an interactive platform for beneficiaries that consolidates health 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 health artificial intelligence, Dr. Kalander pointed to several existing initiatives, including "Salem 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 strokes through non-contrast CT scans, as well as the use of AI techniques in colonoscopy for the immediate detection of tissue abnormalities. These are currently undergoing advanced testing and clinical evaluation within Kuwait.
He also highlighted 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 and do not replace consultation with a doctor or pharmacist.
Regarding external health services, Dr. Kalander presented the experience of the Virtual Health Office for Emergency Cases, which aims to provide more efficient and sustainable services for Kuwaiti citizens abroad amidst challenges related to time zone differences, geographical distance, multiple treatment entities, and the need for rapid decision-making.
He explained that the office relies on transmitting information to relevant authorities, organizing correspondence and follow-ups, and coordinating roles among the patient, their companion, the treating hospital, relevant Ministry of Health departments, and embassies and diplomatic missions.
He outlined that the service development path began with the formation of a technical committee in October 2023, followed by a trial operation in March 2024, the announcement of the service launch in September of the same year, the start of digital transformation in December 2025, and culminating in the emergency cases platform in November 2026.
He noted that statistics on "medical evacuation" from 2020 to 2025 showed the transport of more than 350 medical cases via "medical evacuation aircraft," and over 1,000 patients traveling to and from Kuwait accompanied by medical crews from more than 30 countries, operating 24/7 throughout the year.
He added that handling emergency cases and covering the treatment costs of citizens abroad involved more than 50 countries over the past five years.
Kalandar emphasized that the virtual health office contributes to enhancing financial efficiency by reducing the need for additional external facilities and resources, accelerating decision-making through the central team, and improving service quality, governance, precise follow-up, and the timely provision of therapeutic requirements.
He pointed to quality and governance indicators, which include response time from request completion to the provision of a response, completion of follow-up, patient experience, and service cost.
In conclusion, Kalandar outlined future trends aimed at expanding access to healthcare services within Kuwait while maintaining care quality through virtual clinics and telemedicine, and strengthening electronic integration with healthcare institutions.
