Kuwait leads Middle East in field of cutting-edge hybrid imaging devices

Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadhi, Minister of Health, unveiled an exciting milestone as he announced the deployment of cutting-edge hybrid imaging devices in nuclear medicine during the inauguration ceremonies of Farwaniya Hospital and Kuwait Cancer Control Center. This landmark achievement follows the successful launch of the first device at the newly inaugurated Jahra Hospital. He pointed out that it is the first of its kind in the Gulf and Middle East region.

In a statement to reporters on Thursday morning, during the opening of the Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Conference under the slogan “A New Era,” the Minister of Health announced that Kuwait will take the lead in the Middle East with the presence of three devices, marking a significant milestone in the region.

The minister of health emphasized his confidence in the capabilities and potential of the medical staff to elevate this advanced service in Kuwait to the level of developed countries, ensuring healthcare is provided according to the highest international standards.

He highlighted the increasing global interest in contributing to scientific publications concerning the latest technologies and applications in nuclear medicine and molecular imaging. Additionally, he emphasized that the participation of teams from our national cadres in these renowned scientific fields is a matter of pride and honor.

Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadhi stressed the ministry’s keenness and unwavering commitment to staying abreast of the latest technologies and scientific advancements in this crucial specialty. He highlighted the importance of sharing experiences and exchanging future visions to strengthen scientific and professional cooperation. Dr. Al-Awadhi expressed confidence in the conference organizers’ vision for the future of medical care in the field of nuclear medicine.

He said that the clarity of this vision encompasses advanced nuclear treatments and the establishment of specialized medical teams to address challenges related to patient safety and rights. This includes the development of the work environment and leveraging the latest technologies to enhance patient care while fostering a collaborative team spirit.

In addition, Dr. Abdul-Reda Ismail, the conference chairman and head of the Nuclear Medicine Departments Council in the Ministry of Health, reiterated that the Minister of Health’s sponsorship and attendance at the three-day conference underscore the ongoing commitment and dedication to delivering the finest health services in the field of nuclear medicine.

He highlighted the ministry’s dedication to fostering the scientific expertise of both medical and technical staff, as well as its commitment to attracting top talent from around the globe for the exchange of ideas and knowledge. This effort aims to provide the latest technology and its applications in the field of diagnosis and treatment. These initiatives position the State of Kuwait at the forefront of nuclear medicine specialization in both the Gulf and regional contexts.

Dr. Abdul-Reda Ismail commended the early pioneers who laid the foundations of nuclear medicine in Kuwait, acknowledging their significant contributions and pioneering efforts spanning over 60 years. He reflected on the inception of nuclear medicine in Kuwait, which dates back to 1963 with the first application involving radioactive iodine therapeutic material.

On the other hand, the conference vice-president, Dr. Iman Al-Awadhi, emphasized that hosting specialized scientific meetings reinforces the principle of participation and exchange of experiences among doctors, ultimately leading to the provision of optimal diagnostic and therapeutic services for patients.

She elaborated that in preparing for the conference, the focus was on keeping pace with the rapid global advancements in nuclear medicine and molecular imaging. This included a specific emphasis on leveraging artificial intelligence technologies and applications to deliver the most cutting-edge levels of healthcare services within the nuclear medicine departments in the State of Kuwait.

She pointed out that the focus was on the applications of hybrid imaging devices in their latest versions, incorporating magnetic resonance and positron emission tomography, in the nuclear medicine departments of the new Jahra Hospital, Farwaniya Hospital, and Kuwait Cancer Control Center. This represents a distinction for Kuwait at the level of the Gulf, Arab countries, and West Asian countries.

Al-Awadhi stated that the conference features over 45 scientific lectures, including interactive sessions with the audience, as well as two workshops. The first workshop specializes in joint treatment using radioactive materials, while the second focuses on technical skills development in nuclear medicine within the realm of hybrid imaging. He noted the participation of Kuwaiti board-certified doctors in nuclear medicine for the first time within the scientific program. This collaboration with counterparts from various programs worldwide aims to encourage their early engagement in such scientific activities, thereby contributing to the future development of their scientific and practical endeavors.

Dr. Iman Al-Awadhi emphasized that the conference underscores the significance of the technical aspect by arranging a parallel exhibition alongside the conference. This exhibition will showcase the latest global advancements in nuclear and molecular imaging, which are poised to significantly enhance medical services provided by the nuclear medicine departments within the Ministry of Health.