KUWAIT: Dr Mohammed Al-Suleimi, consultant bariatric surgeon at Al-Sabah Hospital, announced on Wednesday the successful treatment of a rare medical condition, superior mesenteric artery syndrome, which affects only 0.1 percent of the global population. The operation was performed using a surgical endoscope and involved a laparoscopic duodenojejunostomy, a procedure that reroutes the third part of the duodenum.

Dr Al-Suleimi said the surgery was conducted on a 17-year-old patient who had been suffering from chronic regurgitation and an inability to eat or drink. The patient was previously misdiagnosed with a diaphragmatic hernia at another hospital and underwent repair surgery, which failed to resolve his condition. The patient later presented to Al-Sabah Hospital with severe pain, vomiting, and significant underweight, with a body mass index of just 16. Examination revealed a compressed section of the duodenum trapped between the superior mesenteric artery and the aorta, caused by a narrow arterial angle of less than 12 degrees (normal range: 28–60 degrees).

Dr Al-Suleimi confirmed that the patient’s condition is now improving significantly, having gained 7 kilograms in a short period after resuming normal eating and drinking, reflecting the success of the procedure. Before the operation, the patient was unable to even consume liquids. He explained that while gastric bypass surgery is sometimes used in such cases, the optimal treatment is a bypass at the third part of the duodenum—a complex operation due to the duodenum’s deep location near the spine. The procedure required careful dissection to avoid complications.

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome occurs when the artery compresses the duodenum, causing partial or complete obstruction that can lead to nausea, vomiting, bloating, weight loss, and other symptoms. The condition is typically associated with very low body weight and is often linked to psychological factors. Dr Al-Suleimi expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Health and Minister Dr Ahmad Al-Awadi for providing hospitals with advanced medical equipment that enables physicians to deliver high-quality care to patients.

KUWAIT: Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah conducted an inspection visit on Wednesday to a shelter for battered women under the Supreme Council for Family Affairs (SCFA) to review workflow and assess the quality of services provided to residents.

In a press statement following the visit, Dr Al-Huwailah emphasized the importance of continually enhancing humanitarian services within shelters and strengthening coordination among relevant authorities to ensure a prompt and effective response to cases. She highlighted her commitment to monitoring social facilities directly, identifying beneficiaries’ needs, and developing services to provide the highest standards of care and protection. — KUNA

KUWAIT: The Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) Experts’ Meeting commenced in Kuwait on Wednesday under the theme “Enhancing International Judicial Cooperation and Handling Evidence in Terrorism Cases.” Co-chaired by Kuwait and Kenya, the two-day meeting brings together 49 representatives from 27 countries and international organizations.

Assistant Foreign Minister for Development and International Cooperation and Chairman of the Committee on the Implementation of Security Council Resolutions, Ambassador Hamad Al-Mashaan, highlighted the significance of Kuwait hosting the meeting as part of the country’s ongoing efforts to support the GCTF’s objectives and strengthen global coordination in countering terrorism.

The International Counter-Terrorism Forum’s expert meeting kicks off in Kuwait with the participation of 27 countries and organizations.- KUNA photos

Al-Mashaan recalled that Kuwait organized a GCTF workshop last October titled “Disengagement, Deradicalization, Rehabilitation and Reintegration” in cooperation with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), which drew more than 90 participants, including policymakers, civil society representatives and international experts. He also underscored Kuwait’s contributions to combating terrorism through bilateral cooperation with sisterly and friendly countries, particularly regarding foreign terrorist fighters.

Since 2018, Kuwait has facilitated the relocation of over 1,500 foreign terrorist fighters and their families from northeastern Syria to their countries of origin via its air bases, and continues to accept requests from partner nations for the repatriation of their citizens. Al-Mashaan expressed hope that the meeting will foster the exchange of expertise and experiences among participating countries and strengthen collaboration between their legal and judicial institutions in handling evidence and processing terrorism cases. — KUNA