Opening of the 'Precision Pediatrics: From Genomics to Care' Conference
The Deputy Minister of Health and the Pediatric Society emphasized the importance of advancements in precision pediatrics and improving healthcare for children in Kuwait.
Translated by Qiyas from الوسط — Original source
Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health, Sheikh Dr. Salman Al-Sabah, affirmed that the rapid advancement in the field of precision pediatrics and its applications represents a significant transformation in the pediatric care system, shifting from reading and understanding the genetic code to delivering more precise and tailored healthcare for each child.
Speaking at the opening of the conference “Precision Pediatrics: From Genomics to Care,” held at the Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center and lasting two days, the Undersecretary stated that progress in this field enhances the healthcare system’s ability to achieve accurate diagnoses, particularly in rare and complex cases, as well as to select the most appropriate care and gain a deeper understanding of the needs of children and their families.
He emphasized that technology remains a means to serve humanity, improve care, safeguard children’s health, and enhance their quality of life, noting Kuwait’s ongoing efforts to combat genetic diseases through the Kuwait Center for Genetic Diseases, established in 1979, which provides genetic counseling, specialized testing, and a newborn screening program in both public and private hospitals.
He also highlighted the importance of responsible dialogue to ensure the optimal use of genetic information, thereby protecting individual privacy and respecting the rights of children and families, while reaffirming the Ministry’s continued commitment to developing human resources and laboratories to strengthen integration among various specialties.
For his part, Dr. Abdullah Shamsah, President of the Kuwait Pediatric Society, stressed in a similar address the Society’s commitment to supporting continuing medical education pathways and developing medical practices to ensure the delivery of advanced, high-quality healthcare to children and their families within Kuwait and abroad.
Dr. Shamsah clarified that the conference aims to exchange medical information and expertise and to strengthen frameworks for medical cooperation, keeping pace with the latest scientific developments in the field of precision pediatric care.
For her part, Conference Chair Dr. Hind Al-Sharhan emphasized in a similar statement that the true value of genetic and genomic knowledge lies in translating it into early diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and comprehensive healthcare that addresses the needs of each child and their family.
