Ibn Sina Hospital pioneers new standard in stroke treatment

• Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadhi, Minister of Health, underscored the need to enhance international collaboration to achieve medical excellence and stay aligned with global advancements in dentistry and human medicine.

• The Department of Neurology at Ibn Sina Hospital serves as the cornerstone for establishing neurological units across all hospitals in Kuwait and has played a pioneering role for more than four decades.

• Kuwait established its first epilepsy monitoring unit in 2012, along with the first specialized clinic for multiple sclerosis treatment and specialized clinics for headache treatment in the same year.

Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadhi, Minister of Health, underscored the need to enhance international collaboration to achieve medical excellence and stay aligned with global advancements in dentistry and human medicine. He also commended the University of Houston for its pivotal role in training highly qualified medical professionals, as reported by Al Rai newspaper.

This was stated in a press release by the Ministry of Health after Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadhi received a delegation from the University of Houston, Texas, to discuss aspects of joint cooperation in the fields of scholarships and advanced training.

The ministry explained in the statement that this initiative aligns with its commitment to promoting continuous medical education and developing its workforce across various disciplines.

The meeting explored mechanisms to enhance graduate programs for dentists and medical doctors by sending distinguished medical professionals to study at the University of Houston and discussing ways to transfer scientific and practical expertise through visiting doctors’ programs.

The ministry highlighted that this step reflects its vision of achieving a paradigm shift in the quality of medical and specialized education for its workforce, ultimately enhancing the delivery of high-quality healthcare services that meet societal aspirations and align with international standards of care.

According to the statement, the University of Houston delegation expressed pride in collaborating with the Ministry of Health and affirmed its readiness to fully support scholarship programs and the exchange of expertise, contributing to the advancement of healthcare in the State of Kuwait.

The meeting was attended by the Assistant Undersecretary for Dental Affairs, Dr. Ahmed Asad; the Director of the Orthodontic Program, Dr. Fawzi Al-Qatami; and the Monitor of Missions at the Kuwait Institute for Medical Specialties (KIMS), Dr. Khaled Al-Yaqout.

In another context, Dr. Al-Awadhi emphasized that the Department of Neurology at Ibn Sina Hospital serves as the cornerstone for establishing neurological units across all hospitals in Kuwait and has played a pioneering role for more than four decades.

Speaking at the opening of the Seventh Kuwait and 14th Gulf International Conference on Neurology on Saturday, as reported by KUNA, he highlighted the department’s contributions to training medical students and newly graduated doctors through the Kuwait Board program.

He also noted the launch of distinguished initiatives, such as the establishment of Kuwait’s first epilepsy monitoring unit in 2012, the first specialized clinic for multiple sclerosis treatment, and specialized clinics for headache treatment in the same year.

Dr. Al-Awadhi praised the collaboration between the Department of Neurology and the Department of Interventional Radiology at the hospital, which introduced a program for cerebral stroke extraction using interventional catheterization. This initiative has marked a significant advancement in stroke treatment in Kuwait.

He acknowledged the department’s significant role in scientific research, highlighting the publication of more than 100 scientific studies over the past decade, averaging 10 studies annually. He called for continuing this approach and encouraged increasing research efforts in the future to benefit the country’s healthcare system.

He emphasized the ministry’s commitment to providing the necessary support for hosting such conferences and workshops, given their crucial role in advancing evidence-based medicine and disseminating the latest developments in modern medicine.

He noted that with the growing number of elderly individuals and the impact of various risk factors on public health, particularly in the field of neurological diseases, the responsibility of specialists to address these challenges becomes even more pressing. This can be achieved through the exchange of expertise and the launch of innovative initiatives.

He explained that the conference showcases the most prominent and recent scientific research and advancements in neurological diseases, presented by an outstanding group of doctors and scientists in the field. This contributes to the enhancement of healthcare services for citizens and the training of young doctors to improve their diagnostic and therapeutic skills.

He added that the conference reflects the vision of its organizers and their awareness of the challenges facing healthcare systems, including the burdens imposed by certain neurological diseases. It also underscores the need to develop and implement integrated health programs grounded in the latest studies and scientific research.