Health concludes Duchenne awareness month, confirms availability of latest genetic treatments
The Ministry of Health concluded, on Wednesday, the activities of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) Awareness Month, held under the slogan “Accessibility of Care Changes Lives,” and sponsored by Minister of Health Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadi, at the New Maternity Hospital. The event was attended by senior ministry officials, medical staff, specialists, and families of patients and those affected.
Dr. Al-Mondher Al-Hasawi, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Affairs and representative of the event’s sponsor, stated that the State of Kuwait attaches great importance to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy through a comprehensive system encompassing preventive and therapeutic measures, early diagnosis, and the provision of the latest advanced genetic treatments.
In his speech at the event, Al-Hasawi noted that Kuwait’s efforts in this field have not been limited to the local level but have extended internationally. He explained that the country led an initiative to submit a draft resolution to the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, which received the support of 128 countries, leading to the adoption of September 7 as World DMD Awareness Day.
For her part, Dr. Rania Al-Badr, Head of the Medical Staff at the New Maternity Hospital, emphasized that organizing the event underscores the importance of health awareness and integrated, multidisciplinary care as the optimal means of providing comprehensive health services to patients and their families.
Al-Badr clarified that the affiliation of the Kuwait Center for Genetic Diseases with the departments of the New Maternity Hospital represents an important step toward enhancing continuity and integration in healthcare delivery. She noted that managing genetic diseases begins with the family and requires a unified health system operating with a team-based approach.
Dr. Laila Bastaki, Head of the Kuwait Center for Genetic Diseases, stated that the global incidence rate of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is approximately one case per four to five thousand male births, which, according to expected rates, translates to about five to seven cases annually in the State of Kuwait.
Bastaki affirmed that joint efforts between the Kuwait Center for Genetic Diseases and the Reproductive Assistance Unit at the New Maternity Hospital have helped reduce the incidence rate to one case per year among families without a prior genetic history of the disease.
She called for intensified collaborative work to keep pace with rapid developments in modern genetic therapies and to provide a comprehensive health system that safeguards patients’ rights and ensures they achieve the best possible quality of life.
