Kuwait’s Minister of Health, Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi, announced significant advancements in the country’s healthcare sector, including the integration of modern medical technologies and the expansion of hospital facilities, which have led to a notable reduction in the number of patients requiring treatment abroad. Dr. Al-Awadhi revealed that efforts are underway to open over three new hospitals in the near future.
In his address after inaugurating the Second Kuwait Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Robotic Surgeries, Dr. Al-Awadhi detailed the progress made by the Ministry of Health. He confirmed the initial operation of a new maternity hospital and the ongoing efforts to open the Infectious Diseases Hospital and Al-Adan Hospital for Women, Childbirth, and Children, which will feature more than 28 operating rooms. Additionally, the Chest Hospital and primary healthcare centers are undergoing significant expansions.
Dr. Al-Awadhi also highlighted the Ministry’s digital transformation initiative, which began two weeks ago. The final stages of this initiative aim to fully digitize all communications within the healthcare sector, including between hospitals and health centers. This transformation is expected to reduce operational expenses and prevent waste.
Regarding the use of surgical robots and artificial intelligence (AI), the Minister announced that six specialized robotic devices had been deployed in Kuwait’s hospitals, with plans to acquire more. Each device, valued at approximately one million Kuwaiti dinars (USD 3.255 million), demonstrates the government’s commitment to advancing healthcare technologies. He noted that about 20 Kuwaiti doctors are currently using these technologies, particularly in urology, to improve treatment outcomes and reduce complications in delicate procedures. The use of AI and robotic surgery has proven effective in treating both benign and malignant tumors with greater precision, flexibility, and shorter recovery times.
During the conference, Dr. Al-Awadhi emphasized the Ministry’s vision to integrate cutting-edge medical technologies, including AI and robotic surgery, to enhance healthcare services and ensure patient safety and comfort. He proudly referenced the Sabah Al-Ahmad Urology Center’s adoption of the Da Vinci Surgical System in 2013, which has since successfully completed over 1,600 complex surgeries.
Conference Chairman and President of the Kuwait Surgeons Association, Dr. Shahab Akrouf, described the event as a landmark moment for Kuwait’s adoption of modern medical technologies. He noted that Kuwait was among the first countries to introduce robotic surgery, with the first device installed at the Sabah Al-Ahmad Center for Kidney and Urology in 2017. Since then, robotic surgery has expanded across multiple specialties, achieving greater precision and efficiency.
Dr. Saad Al-Dosari, President of the Kuwait Association of Robotic Surgeons, highlighted the conference’s role in bringing together experts from Kuwait and abroad to share insights on AI and robotic surgery. He also underscored the benefits of robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery, such as 3D magnified vision, wrist-like motion, stabilization of hand tremors, and the potential for remote surgeries.
The two-day conference focused on evaluating modern medical technology, analyzing current data, and discussing future advancements to further enhance Kuwait’s healthcare system.
