KUWAIT: In a medical first for Kuwait, a surgical team at Farwaniya Hospital successfully repaired a chronic shoulder tendon tear using a biological patch, offering new hope to patients with severe tendon damage. The groundbreaking procedure was performed entirely through arthroscopy, a minimally invasive surgical technique that avoids open surgery. According to the team, the use of a biological graft significantly speeds up recovery and enhances shoulder function in cases where traditional tendon repair would not be possible.

“We performed a repair for a patient with a chronic tendon tear that had been present for over a year,” said Lead Surgeon Dr Bader Albesharah in an interview with KTV which aired on Monday. “The tendons were severely damaged — they had turned from fibrous tissue into fatty layers — so conventional methods couldn’t work.”

Rotator cuff tears, like the one treated in this case, are common – affecting about one in three people over the age of 60. While surgical repair is often effective, studies show that full tendon healing occurs in only about 60 percent of cases, even with advances in surgical techniques and implants. This has prompted surgeons around the world to explore new strategies to improve outcomes – one of which is the use of biological patches to support the healing process.

Instead, the team used a biological patch, which acts as a scaffold for new tendon tissue to form. “The patch provides an excellent environment for a new tendon to grow,” Dr Albesharah explained. “It supports tendon healing and helps restore joint function more quickly and effectively.”

Biological patches, also known as extracellular matrix (ECM) grafts, are made from human or animal tissue that has been processed to support tendon regeneration. They’re designed to integrate into the body’s tissue, promoting blood flow and delivering proteins that help new tendon fibers grow. In rotator cuff surgeries, these patches act like scaffolding, reinforcing weak or damaged areas and increasing the likelihood of successful healing. The innovative technique is especially beneficial for patients with chronic conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular issues, or other metabolic disorders that compromise tendon health.

“In advanced cases, even if you try to reattach the tendon using traditional methods, it won’t hold. There’s just no viable tissue left,” said Dr Albesharah. “But with the biological patch, a new, strong tendon can form. After about a year, the body absorbs the patch naturally.”

The patient is currently undergoing physiotherapy and is expected to fully recover and return to normal life. “The operation was a success, and the patient was discharged the next day,” Dr Abdullah Al-Dha’eena told KTV. “She will wear an arm sling for a month while continuing physical therapy, then gradually resume daily activities.”

KUWAIT: Dusty conditions will persist across Kuwait Tuesday as strong northwesterly winds continue to sweep through the country, the Kuwait Meteorological Department said on Monday. Acting Director of the Meteorological Department Dhirar Al-Ali told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that wind speeds are exceeding 60 kilometers per hour, significantly reducing visibility, especially in open areas. However, he noted that weather conditions are expected to improve by Tuesday evening.

“The country is currently under the influence of the Indian monsoon low, accompanied by a hot and dry air mass,” Al-Ali explained. “This is driving moderate to strong northwesterly winds that are stirring up dust and raising sea waves up to six feet at times.”

According to Al-Ali, winds will gradually begin to subside by Tuesday afternoon. Starting Tuesday evening, winds are expected to shift to a southeasterly direction along the coast, bringing a rise in humidity levels across the country – particularly in coastal areas. This humid spell is expected to last through Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Last Tuesday, Kuwait entered what meteorologists say is the hottest stretch of the year, a 13-day period when temperatures are expected to soar as high as 52°C in some parts of the country. The country’s Meteorological Centre and the Ojairi Scientific Centre have warned that the extreme heat is part of a seasonal phase known locally as “Al-Mirzam.”

The period, which marks the peak of Kuwait’s summer heat, will continue until August 10. The Mirzam phase signals the most intense stretch of the summer, after which the season gradually transitions into “Al Kulaibin,” known for its oppressive humidity, and later into “Suhail”, when conditions begin to ease. — KUNA

KUWAIT: They stand at gas stations, their faces dripping with sweat. They work on construction sites, wrapping scarves around their heads to block the sun. They sweep streets, collect garbage, and deliver packages. While most people stay indoors to escape Kuwait’s extreme summer heat, these workers don’t have that option.

“It’s tiring, but what can we do?” said a gas station worker, when asked about enduring the intense temperatures. “This is the contract, and we have to follow the work conditions,” he added, noting that his job requires 12-hour shifts with just a 20-minute break. “We take turns resting – one of us goes into the room to cool off, then the other comes out to work.”

While Kuwait’s Ministerial Decision No. 535 of 2015 bans outdoor work between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm from June 1 to August 31, the heat doesn’t obey the clock. Temperatures often remain high outside those hours.

This reality has raised urgent concerns among human rights advocates, who say current protections fall short of addressing the full scope of risk that workers face on a daily basis.

Kuwait Society for Human Rights Chairman Khalid Al-Humaidi is among those calling for a stronger commitment to worker safety. He stresses that the midday ban is only part of the legal framework meant to protect outdoor laborers.

Ministerial Decision No. 198 of 2010, he notes, is far more comprehensive and should be more actively enforced. It requires employers to take a range of preventive measures, from providing sun-protective gear, gloves, and proper footwear, to ensuring uniforms are designed to reflect sunlight and reduce heat absorption.

Al-Humaidi emphasized that cold drinking water must be provided in sufficient quantities, and rest areas must be well ventilated – or ideally air-conditioned – to give workers a chance to recover.

The law also places responsibility on employers to educate workers about the signs of heat exhaustion and ensure supervisors are trained to respond immediately when symptoms arise. These measures, according to Al-Humaidi, are an extension of Labor Law No. 6 of 2010 (regarding work in the private sector), which contains an entire chapter on occupational health and safety. And they are not optional extras.

Lack of enforcement

While laws exist on paper, Al-Humaidi pointed out that enforcement remains weak. Many employers, he explained, unknowingly violate these regulations simply because they are unaware of the ministerial decisions that form an integral part of the labor code. As a result, critical safety measures are often neglected, putting vulnerable workers at even greater risk during the summer months.

He also highlighted the importance of broader legal regulations that guide Kuwait’s labor framework. These include Ministerial Decision No. 208 of 2011, which outlines exposure limits and workplace safety standards, and Ministerial Decision No. 224 of 2014, which mandates clear safety signage in work areas. Kuwait’s commitment to labor rights extends internationally as well: the country has ratified 19 conventions from the International Labour Organization (ILO), including seven of the eight core principles that promote dignity, equality and safety at work. In 2022, the ILO further emphasized that a safe and healthy working environment is a fundamental right – one that must be upheld by all member states.

Yet the gap between Kuwait’s legal commitments and on-the-ground realities remains clear. Al-Humaidi is calling for immediate action: not only stricter monitoring and enforcement of labor laws but also increased awareness among employers and workers alike. “We need to stop thinking of safety as an added cost,” Al-Humaidi said. “It’s an investment in people. And people are the foundation of every workplace.”