PARIS: Kuwait’s Ministry of Health signed five cooperation agreements on Friday with leading French medical institutions, with a focus on improving local healthcare delivery through telemedicine, specialist consultations and advanced training for medical professionals.

“This step marks a fresh start in implementing the vision of Kuwait’s wise leadership, under His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, to strengthen ties with France’s leading medical institutions,” Health Minister Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi said in a joint statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) and Kuwait TV.

The agreements were signed with Almaviva Santé, Institut Curie, Hôpital Foch, Institut Mutualiste Montsouris, and the Adolphe de Rothschild Foundation Hospital — institutions recognized for their clinical and academic expertise.

The partnerships aim to enhance specialized care in areas such as oncology, cardiology, and organ transplants. One of the key components is the development of telemedicine services that would allow Kuwaiti patients and physicians to access expert opinions and diagnostic support remotely.

“This allows patients to benefit from the latest developments in disease treatment without the need to travel abroad,” said Dr Hisham Kelendar, Assistant Undersecretary for Foreign Health Services. “This will also help enhance diagnostic support by using the latest technologies in sample and image analysis, which improves diagnosis accuracy and contributes to better treatment planning.”

Kelendar noted that the MoUs also include launching advanced training programs such as international fellowships and clinical observerships, which aim to develop the skills and efficiency of Kuwaiti medical professionals “according to the latest global standards.”

The agreements also aim to improve Kuwait’s medical referral system to ensure that patients are directed to specialized hospitals according to their needs, while also promoting joint clinical research to develop new treatments and improve existing ones.

“These MoUs open wide horizons for practical collaboration across various health fields,” said Al-Awadhi, noting the participation of French medical experts in the signing ceremony as an indicator of the partnerships’ seriousness.

Kuwait’s Ambassador to France Abdullah Al-Shaheen said the agreements reflect ongoing efforts to deepen bilateral ties. “These agreements are a direct result of His Highness the Amir’s recent visit to Paris, which gave a strong push to bilateral cooperation, particularly in the healthcare sector,” he said.

The MoUs were signed at Kuwait’s Embassy in Paris, in the presence of Minister Al-Awadhi, Ambassador Al-Shaheen, Dr Kelendar, and representatives from the five French institutions. — KUNA

 KUWAIT: First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah witnessed on Saturday the graduation of the 32nd batch of officers of Saad Al-Abdullah Academy of Security Sciences totaling 212.A ceremony was held at retired Maj. Gen. Abdulatif Al-Thuwaini’s theater, in the presence of Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior Major General Ali Al-Adwani and other senior officers.

First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister witnesses the graduation of Saad Al-Abdullah Academy officers. — KUNA

First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister witnesses the graduation of Saad Al-Abdullah Academy officers. — KUNA

First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister witnesses the graduation of Saad Al-Abdullah Academy officers. — KUNA

In a speech, Sheikh Fahad congratulated these cadets on joining the security institution, lauding their commitment and discipline.

Upon the instructions of the wise political leadership, the Ministry of Interior has been paying much attention to rehabilitate humans and upgrading the efficiency of security cadres, out of its belief that security is achieved by well-trained national personnel able to cope up with challenges, the minister said.

He prayed to Allah the Almighty to maintain security and stability to Kuwait, under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah – the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Ministry of Social Affairs announced Thursday that it will open online applications for supervisory positions in cooperative societies starting July 27, as part of the country’s broader Kuwaitization strategy aimed at placing more citizens in leadership roles across key sectors. The move comes nearly a year after the ministry temporarily suspended earlier initiatives to Kuwaitize the sector.

For the first time, candidates will be required to take an electronic exam on September 9, organized in cooperation with the Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST), according to the ministry’s Acting Undersecretary Dr Khaled Al-Ajmi. “In a first since appointments in co-ops began, the ministry will require applicants to take an electronic test,” Al-Ajmi told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), adding that passing with a score above 80 percent is mandatory to qualify for the in-person interview stage. The exam will count for more than 80 percent of the final evaluation, while the interview will account for 15 percent.

The decision is part of a wider national effort to prioritize citizens for employment and address what officials have described as the country’s “demographic imbalance.” In 2023, the ministry launched its first round of Kuwaitization efforts in co-ops, posting supervisory jobs in five co-ops — Nuzha, Qortuba, Faiha, Jabriya, and Qadisiya — for positions such as directors, deputy directors, and department heads. A special committee was assigned to oversee the process. However, sources noted that turnout was lower than expected, citing job security concerns.

Since then, the ministry has been working to expand the scope of the Kuwaitization initiative. In July 2024, it introduced a new vision that included general roles such as legal accountants, procurement clerks, and store managers. In January 2025, Minister of Social Affairs and Minister of State for Family and Childhood Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah announced the formation of a new committee tasked with overcoming obstacles in hiring Kuwaitis.

Al-Ajmi emphasized that the new electronic test is intended to ensure fairness and transparency in the hiring process. “The goal is to enhance transparency, equal opportunity, and job justice in selecting candidates,” he said, noting that a free, optional training course will be made available for applicants to prepare.

Salaries for the available supervisory positions range from KD 1,000 to KD 2,000 depending on the role and its responsibilities, Al-Ajmi added. Assistant Director-General of the Public Authority of Manpower Musaed Al-Mutairi confirmed that the authority has activated a digital system to register and advertise vacancies submitted by co-ops. The job opportunities will be published through the “Fakhrona” platform dedicated to hiring Kuwaiti nationals. Applications can be submitted via the authority’s online portal or through the Sahel app, Al-Mutairi told KUNA. He added that cooperative societies are a promising space for young Kuwaitis to gain leadership experience, thanks to their community-focused and administratively flexible nature. — Agencies