Ministry unveils 100-day action plan with three key initiatives

• The Ministry of Health has launched six travelers’ health clinics, distributed across all governorates of the country. The clinics provide health services and guidance, including information about required vaccinations for travel.

• The ministry has also launched an interactive map for travelers. This new digital service, provided by the Ministry of Health, allows citizens to access information via their phones.

Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadhi, the Minister of Health, inaugurated the traveler’s health clinics and launched an interactive map for travelers, according to a report published in the Al Rai newspaper.

In his commitment to ensuring the health and safety of the community, he unveiled three key components of the ministry’s action plan, pledging their implementation within 100 days.

Six clinics

During an inspection of the travelers’ clinic at Al-Raqi Health Center, Al-Awadhi announced the launch of six travelers’ health clinics, distributed across all governorates of the country.

He pointed out that these clinics provide health services and guidance, including information about required vaccinations for travel. Some countries, such as those in South America or Africa, require specific vaccinations. He called on citizens to visit these clinics to benefit from their services.

Interactive map

In the same context, Al-Awadhi announced the launch of an interactive map for travelers. This new digital service, provided by the Ministry of Health, allows citizens to access information via their phones. By selecting the country they plan to visit, users can view relevant instructions and advice, as well as learn about the telephone and emergency numbers in their destination country.

Three tracks

In addition, Dr. Al-Awadhi confirmed that the ministry, as part of its 100-day plan, is working on three tracks. The first track focuses on digital health and the electronic file system to alleviate the burden on citizens by transitioning from paper to electronic records. The second track involves continuing to open health facilities, such as dispensaries, hospitals, and specialized centers. He highlighted the recent opening of the Kidney Transplant and Dialysis Center, Al-Mutlaa Health Center, and other facilities that will be inaugurated soon.

He noted that “the third track is related to public health, aiming to enhance the health of individuals and families, which contributes to the overall health of society.”

He emphasized the ministry’s commitment to bringing services closer to citizens and facilitating access to them and reaffirmed the ministry’s dedication to achieving these goals through a well-established and thoughtful program within a planned timeframe.

Vaccinations and emergency numbers

Adel Al-Rashidi, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Digital Health Affairs, stated that the traveler clinic is dedicated to any citizen wishing to travel.

He added, “Through the interactive map, citizens can learn about the health instructions in the country they wish to visit, the types of required vaccinations, the contact numbers for the Kuwaiti Embassy, and the emergency and ambulance numbers. They can also make an appointment online with a specialist doctor.”
Dr. Ali Al-Enezi, head of the Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine in the Farwaniya Health District, emphasized the importance of visiting the traveler’s clinic four weeks before the travel date, noting that this initiative is part of the Ministry’s 100-day plan.

He mentioned that “citizens can access and view the service through the ministry’s website, in addition to filling out a questionnaire and making an electronic appointment.” He also pointed out that “the clinics are distributed across all governorates.”

“Health Traveler’s Guide”

To ensure the safety of citizens during the travel season, the Ministry of Health issued the “Health Traveler’s Guide,” which was launched on Friday.

The guide includes information about the health status of various countries around the world to which citizens are expected to travel, raising awareness about the need for caution when visiting these destinations.

The guide identified current alerts and warnings for several countries as follows:

UAE: International reports indicate an increase in measles cases.
Egypt: There may be an increase in polio cases according to international reports.
Iraq: Statistics show an increase in the number of people infected with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.
Lebanon: International reports revealed an increase in measles cases.
Qatar: International reports show an increase in measles cases.
India: International reports indicate an increase in measles cases.
Saudi Arabia: Health requirements and guidelines for those arriving to perform the Hajj.
Türkiye: International reports show an increase in measles cases.
Thailand: International reports revealed an increase in measles cases.