KUWAIT: Kuwait joined the global community on Friday in observing World Down Syndrome Day, a global initiative aimed at raising awareness about Down syndrome and promoting the inclusion of individuals with the condition in education, work, and society. The day encourages understanding and support for people with Down syndrome, helping them to become active members of society. Down syndrome is a genetic condition caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21. This leads to varying degrees of intellectual disabilities, developmental delays, and other health challenges. While the condition is lifelong, early intervention and comprehensive care can greatly improve the quality of life and help individuals with Down syndrome reach their full potential.
Comprehensive care from
Dr Laila Bastaki, Head of the Kuwait Medical Genetics Center, emphasized Kuwait’s commitment to providing comprehensive care for individuals with Down syndrome, starting even before birth. The center offers pre-implantation genetic diagnosis to help reduce the risks of having a child with Down syndrome. If a diagnosis is made during pregnancy, the center provides early guidance and continuous medical follow-up from infancy through adulthood. Dr Bastaki explained that the center focuses on preventing and managing common complications associated with Down syndrome, such as congenital heart defects, thyroid hormone deficiencies, celiac disease, obesity, Type 1 diabetes, hearing impairments, and mental health issues. Early detection is vital, and genetic testing during pregnancy and after birth helps in diagnosing the condition. Maternal age is a significant factor in the likelihood of having a child with Down syndrome. For women over 40, the risk increases, with 1 in 32 births involving Down syndrome. Globally, about 1 in every 800 births results in a child with the condition.
A person with Down Syndrome showcases his work as part of an exhibition organized by the Kuwait Down Syndrome Society.
Supporting families
The Kuwait Down Syndrome Society plays a crucial role in supporting individuals with Down syndrome and their families. Mariam Al-Kandari, the society’s Secretary-General, shared that the organization provides a variety of services, including educational and vocational training, life skills development, family counseling, and advocacy for social inclusion. Physical activities are an essential part of the society’s programs, as they improve cognitive abilities, physical health, and social skills. The society organizes daily sports programs, as well as arts and music activities, which offer both cognitive and physical benefits.
In addition to educational support, the society helps prepare individuals for employment through workshops that teach job-related skills, professional behavior, and self-reliance. Al-Kandari highlighted the society’s collaboration with schools and government agencies to promote inclusive education, ensuring that individuals with Down syndrome have equal access to learning opportunities.
The society is also embracing technology to enhance the skills and communication abilities of individuals with Down syndrome. Al-Kandari noted that artificial intelligence (AI) tools are being used to improve communication skills and prepare individuals for modern work environments. “Our vision is to create an environment where every person with Down syndrome has the resources and support they need to thrive,” Al-Kandari said.
Advocacy for rights
Kuwait has made significant strides in raising awareness about Down syndrome and promoting inclusion. The Kuwait Down Syndrome Society is dedicated to advocating for the rights of individuals with Down syndrome, working to eliminate discrimination and empower them to fully participate in society. Currently, there are about 4,000 people in Kuwait living with Down syndrome, and approximately 400 individuals benefit from the services offered by the Kuwait Down Syndrome Society. The society continues to work on fostering inclusion and providing long-term support for individuals with Down syndrome in all areas of life.
World Down Syndrome Day, first launched in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, is now recognized worldwide. The day serves as a platform to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion for individuals with Down syndrome. Through continuous efforts in healthcare, education, and community support, Kuwait is working to ensure that individuals with Down syndrome are empowered to lead meaningful, fulfilling lives. — KUNA
KUWAIT: The Ministry of Health (MoH) is committed to delivering world-class specialized medical services in a safe and advanced healthcare environment as part of its strategy to embrace global expertise and invest in training national medical cadres, said ministry spokesperson Dr Abdullah Al-Sanad on Wednesday. Speaking at a press conference held at the Government Communication Center, Dr Al-Sanad reviewed the ministry’s latest projects and achievements, including digital service enhancements and expansions in medical infrastructure across Kuwait.
He noted that several major projects are already operational or set to open soon, including the Al-Mutlaa Emergency Center, the Infectious Diseases Hospital and the Kuwait Cancer Control Center. The Obstetrics and Gynecology Department has also been relocated from Al-Adan Hospital to the newly established Maternity and Childhood Hospital. Al-Sanad highlighted progress on the new Al-Adan Hospital project, comprising nine buildings providing various healthcare services. He elaborated on the ministry’s ongoing approach of developing specialized medical cities, such as the Ahmadi and Al-Sabah medical zones, which aim to offer integrated care through clusters of specialized hospitals within specific geographic areas, minimizing patient travel and enhancing healthcare accessibility.
Among other key initiatives, Al-Sanad announced the launch of the First Responder Project on July 10. The project features 28 medical units that handled 70 emergency cases during their first week of operation. He described the project as a significant upgrade to Kuwait’s emergency response system and a step toward improving response times and care quality. The Visiting Doctors Program continues to expand, with 140 specialists visiting Kuwait to offer high-level medical care and contribute to training local staff. This initiative reflects the ministry’s strategy of leveraging international medical expertise while enhancing local capabilities.
KUWAIT: Medical experts and participants are pictured during the press conference. Ministry spokesperson Dr Abdullah Al-Sanad said the Ministry of Health is committed to delivering world-class specialized medical services in a safe and advanced healthcare environment as part of its strategy to embrace global expertise and invest in training national medical cadres. – KUNA
Further developments include the inauguration of a new MRI wing at Al-Razi Hospital, which doubled diagnostic capacity, and the opening of a medical center at the Nuwaiseeb border crossing. Al-Sanad added that 13 specialized health centers have been established at all border points, and 20 defibrillator devices have been installed at Kuwait International Airport to improve emergency response times for cardiac arrest cases. To support this initiative, a training program has been launched in coordination with relevant authorities to ensure airport staff can effectively use the devices.
The ministry’s emergency departments handled around 200,000 cases in January 2025 alone, Al-Sanad said, noting that 117 primary care centers operate across the country. Of these, 30 percent are open 24/7, 30 percent operate until midnight on weekdays, 9 percent until midnight daily, and 28 percent close at 9 pm from Sunday to Thursday. In terms of outpatient services, Kuwait currently operates 38 maternity and childhood clinics, 72 mental health clinics, 35 preventive health centers, 20 ophthalmology clinics, and 18 ENT clinics.
Emergency medical services responded to 86,860 urgent and non-urgent cases in the first half of 2025. Ambulances transported 72,236 patients, including 50,301 urgent cases, 21,935 non-urgent cases, 5,068 traffic accident victims, and 420 airlifted patients. Another 35 patients were transferred via medical evacuation, and 196 cases were handled at border crossings. Traffic accident reports have also shown a decline since the implementation of the new traffic law in May. The ministry recorded 902 accident cases in January, 903 in February, 908 in March, 889 in April, 753 in May and 701 in June — a reduction of 357 cases in two months.
On the digital transformation front, Dr Al-Sanad emphasized that the Ministry is advancing its digital services to streamline healthcare access and reduce patient load at clinics. He said 23 services are now available on the government’s “Sahel” app, benefitting over 338,000 users during the first half of 2025. Since the launch of the ministry’s electronic “Patient” system in October 2023, more than 3.9 million users have accessed digital health services. This shift has helped decrease visits to primary health centers from over 15.5 million in 2022 to 13.2 million in 2024.
Efforts in early disease detection are also expanding, with 13,530 women undergoing breast cancer screening since 2023. The number of applicants for early detection reached 1,114 in 2023, 8,141 in 2024, and 4,275 during the first half of this year. The home care program for bedridden patients also continues to grow, with 872 patients receiving care in the first half of 2025. Al-Sanad revealed plans to soon launch home care services for bedridden children as part of ongoing efforts to expand comprehensive healthcare delivery. — KUNA
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