LOC18:39
15:39 GMT
(with photos)
KUWAIT, Feb 10 (KUNA) -- Sabah Al-Ahmad Cardiology Center is a pride for
all Kuwaitis, and the advanced technology it sports matches that available in
the world's best health centers, said Minister of Health Dr. Hilal Al-Sayer on
Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the inauguration of the center,
the minister explained that the intensive care unit in the center was equipped
with gadgets that allowed patients to read the time, as well as machines that
helped patients recover faster, and screens and DVDs to help the patient read
personal medical reports.
He noted that the center had 20 such equipped beds, while many of the
world's best health centers only had eight.
Al-Sayer expressed his gratitude to His Highness the Amir for his generous
contribution that helped establish this project, and he also thanked cardio
consultant Dr. Fareeda Al-Habib for being the "project's maestro."
The minister explained that the center also housed cardiac catheterization
rooms, alongside advanced operating theaters equipped with cutting-edge
technology, including catheterization tables that could be adjusted for
individual doctors.
Moreover, he said doctors from the St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital of the
Columbia University, NY, would be visiting Kuwait to perform several surgeries
at the center and to engage in twinning between Sabah Al-Ahmad Cardio Center
and the St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital in the field of research and treatment.
Kuwaiti patients will receive treatment at the American hospital as part of
the twinning, he noted.
The ministry's policies include opening such advanced centers, he
explained, adding that the Al-Dabous Cardio Treatment Center would be opening
in Addan soon, making the total specialized cardio centers in Kuwait to three.
The minister also revealed that many more specialized health centers would
be opened in the future, including one for premature babies in the Sabah
Medical Zone, as well as new hospitals in different areas to accommodate
increase demand.
Privatization of the health sector is part of the government's agenda, and
the Ministry of Health has laid several proposals for this, including the
construction of a medical city and three hospitals for expatriates, which
would ultimately reduce pressure on public hospitals, he explained.
Asked about swine flu, Al-Sayer said that Kuwait weathered the first and
second waves of the virus, and that a third was expected at the end of this
month, but reassured of the ministry's ability to counter a this and even a
fourth wave as it had abundant reserve of medication.
Meanwhile, in a speech delivered on behalf of His Highness the Amir at the
inauguration of Sabah Al-Ahmad Cardio Center, the minister said that such a
center "is a qualitative addition to the Health Ministry's distinguished
projects," adding that it came in implementation of His Highness the Amir's
donation of KD three million for the establishment of a cardio treatment
center at the St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital, named the Al-Sabah Center.
"Out of His Highness the Amir's keenness for garnering optimum benefit from
such expertise, he donated the same for the establishment of this center in
Kuwait," he said.
On his part, Minister of Public Works and State Minister for Municipal
Affairs Dr. Fadhel Safar said that the ministry would be constructing
multi-storey parking in the vicinity of the Amiri Hospital, to providing
parking space for Sabah Al-Ahmad Cardio Center.
As for Health Undersecretary Dr. Ibrahim Al-Abdulhadi, he explained that
this center would provide special treatment and care for critical cardiac
patients.
He said that it would include out-patient clinics, a fully-equipped theater
for lectures and seminars, a cafeteria, examination rooms, cardiac sonar
rooms, three cardiac catheterization rooms, and a pacemaker fitting room,
among others.
Wards will be located on the third and fourth floors of this building,
while the fifth floor will be allocated for administrative offices, he said,
adding that the cost of the project was KD 3.28 million. (end)
mah.ema
KUNA 101839 Feb 10NNNN