Health Minister: Success of 5 robotic surgeries for early-stage uterine tumors in 'Farwaniya' marks a qualitative medical achievement
Health Minister confirms the success of robotic procedures at Farwaniya Hospital and the opening of the Annual Conference on Gynecological Diseases
Translated by Qiyas from السياسة — Original source
- Development of fertility and reproductive services, expansion of sub-specialties, and training programs for national cadres
- Khader: Success of the first fetoscopic microsurgery for an intrauterine fetus to treat spina bifida
Health Minister Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadi affirmed that the success of Al-Farwaniya Hospital in performing five robotic surgeries to treat early-stage uterine tumors represents a qualitative medical achievement, reflecting the advancement of health services and the efficiency of medical staff in utilizing modern technologies. He emphasized the need to continue developing gynecology and obstetrics services and to enhance the quality of healthcare provided to women, mothers, and children.
Speaking during the opening of the 28th Annual Conference on Gynecology and Obstetrics, Al-Awadi stated that the Ministry of Health is committed to providing the latest diagnostic and treatment tools and investing in qualified national cadres, considering the health of women, mothers, and children as a fundamental pillar for the health and stability of society.
He clarified that cooperation between the Gynecologic Oncology Unit at Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Al-Jahra Hospital resulted in three remote robotic surgeries for patients with uterine cancer, reflecting the integration of specialized expertise among health institutions and the potential to expand the scope of benefiting from advanced medical technologies.
He noted that the use of robotic surgery and artificial intelligence applications is part of the Ministry’s efforts to develop healthcare, while emphasizing that patient safety, medical expertise, and responsible clinical decision-making remain the foundation of medical practice.
Al-Awadi pointed to the development of fertility, reproduction, infertility treatment, and in vitro fertilization services in hospitals, based on solid scientific and ethical principles. He stressed the importance of specialized training programs in gynecology and obstetrics under the auspices of the Kuwait Institute of Medical Specialties to prepare generations of qualified doctors.
He underscored the necessity of continuing to develop maternal and reproductive health services and enhancing prevention and early diagnosis, citing World Health Organization estimates indicating that more than 700 women could be saved from death daily in 2023 due to pregnancy- and childbirth-related causes, as well as the fact that approximately one in six people experience infertility during their lifetime.
For her part, Conference Chairperson and Head of the Council of Gynecology and Obstetrics Departments, Dr. Amal Khader, announced the success of the first fetoscopic microsurgery for an intrauterine fetus to treat spina bifida at the New Maternity Hospital, in collaboration with King’s College Hospital in the United Kingdom, describing it as a historic achievement for the health sector.
Khader explained that the surgery was performed during the 24th week of pregnancy, involving a multidisciplinary medical team comprising maternal-fetal medicine specialists, neurosurgeons, anesthesiologists, and nursing staff, with the aim of correcting the congenital defect and minimizing potential complications for the girl after birth.
She added that the mother delivered her baby at the 34th week of pregnancy at the Maternity Hospital, and that the child is in good condition and receiving the necessary medical care and follow-up.
She noted that Al-Farwaniya Hospital has witnessed developments in its specialized services, including performing robotic surgeries to treat early stages of uterine cancer, expanding advanced laparoscopic surgeries, and launching training programs on BNOTES (Bladder Flap Incision) techniques, with approximately 56 cases performed at the hospital.
She further stated that the development also included the full operation of the fertility unit, the expansion of fertility preservation services, and the development of female urology specialties and family planning clinics.
Khader revealed the Ministry’s plans to establish a specialized fetal surgery unit, activate the gynecological diseases unit at the new maternity hospital, and create a robotic surgery unit, alongside launching an accredited fellowship program in fetal medicine and fellowship programs in other specialties, thereby enhancing precision medical specialties and improving the efficiency of national cadres.
She noted that the conference discusses the latest medical developments related to various stages of women’s lives, from puberty, pregnancy, childbirth, and fertility, to maternal and fetal medicine and gynecological oncology, with 51 speakers from local and international expertise delivering 66 scientific lectures.
She clarified that the accompanying events included specialized workshops, among them a surgical workshop with surgeons from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, during which 24 advanced gynecological surgeries were performed over four days. Additionally, workshops covered early detection of cervical cancer, prenatal screening, minimally invasive gynecological laparoscopy, care during childbirth, and applications of artificial intelligence in fertility laboratories.
