KUWAIT: Minister of Health Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi on Thursday inaugurated the Accident and Emergency Center in Al-Mutlaa Residential City, marking a major step in the ministry’s strategy to expand health services for citizens across Kuwait. Speaking to the press on the sidelines of the inauguration, Dr Al-Awadhi said the center is the third health facility in Al-Mutlaa, following clinics and specialized medical centers. He described it as a qualitative addition, being the first integrated emergency center serving an area expected to accommodate around 400,000 residents across approximately 28,000 housing units in the future.

The 24-hour facility is designed to strengthen the network of emergency and medical services, featuring surgical rooms, minor operations, and separate emergency departments for men, women, and children, alongside observation, resuscitation, and ambulance services.

KUWAIT: Minister of Health Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi inaugurates the Accident and Emergency Center in Al-Mutlaa Residential City.- KUNA photos

It also houses laboratories, a radiology department, pharmacy, and specialized clinics including dental, ENT, ophthalmology, and a 24/7 orthopedics unit. The center is equipped with a minor operating room for injuries and a CT scan machine to handle emergencies such as traffic accidents, falls, heart conditions, fractures, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Dr Al-Awadhi highlighted that the Al-Mutlaa Emergency Center will help reduce the workload on Al-Jahra Hospital, with services integrated to receive cases from primary health centers for diagnosis and stabilization before referral, if necessary. He praised the efforts of medical and administrative teams, as well as ministry leadership, for completing the project. He also noted that the ministry is preparing to receive and equip 12 additional health centers from the Public Institution for Housing Care, including emergency and ambulance facilities, ahead of their imminent opening. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Preventive care, not waiting until illness strikes, was the central theme of a lecture delivered by Dr Darar Al-Khdair, consultant of internal medicine, cardiology & advanced interventional catheterization, at Volvo Studio in Kuwait City on Thursday. Drawing parallels between the human body and a car, Dr Al-Khdair explained that just as an engine powers a vehicle, the heart drives the body, with blood serving as its fuel. And like a car that requires regular servicing, the body too needs constant checkups and maintenance.

He highlighted several misconceptions about heart health. Many people assume walking alone is sufficient, but he stressed that “walking is good, but not enough. Exercise must be done in the right training zone based on heart rate—typically 120 to 140 for young adults—and should include both aerobic and resistance training.” He recommended using smart devices such as Fitbit to track heart rate and ensure exercise is performed correctly, advising people to have aerobic training at least 30 minutes a day.

Dr Darar Al-Khdair

Nutrition was another focus of his talk. Dr Al-Khdair warned that “white wheat can be worse than sugar.” He suggested healthier alternatives such as sourdough bread, which digests more slowly thanks to natural bacteria and fermentation. He added that overconsumption of sugar remains one of the greatest health threats: “White sugar is even worse than nicotine,” he noted.

When asked which factor matters most—diet, sleep, or exercise—he answered without hesitation: “Movement comes first. Exercise not only strengthens the heart, it regulates sleep, improves appetite, and enhances social interaction. Once you move right, everything else follows.” Dr Al-Khdair closed by urging participants not to wait for symptoms to appear, since cardiovascular and metabolic diseases often develop silently. “Regular checkups, balanced nutrition, sufficient sleep, and proper training are the best safeguards against sudden breakdowns—just as you wouldn’t ignore your car until it stalls,” he said.

Mishal Al-Safran, Vice Chairman of Volvo BNK Automotive & Motion Group, reflected on the shared philosophy of medicine and engineering. “Even in Volvo, we consult doctors in designing our cars—orthopedic specialists for our seats, and ophthalmologists for windshield design to reduce driver fatigue,” he explained. He thanked Dr Al-Khdair for delivering a timely lecture, adding: “Just as our cars are built with safety and efficiency in mind, our bodies also need continuous care and attention.”

VIENNA: Kuwait’s Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna, Talal Al-Fassam, on Wednesday reaffirmed Kuwait’s commitment to enhancing technical cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and supporting its programs in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Speaking at the 69th session of the IAEA General Conference, Al-Fassam highlighted Kuwait’s ongoing collaboration with the agency, including the preparation of the fourth National Cooperation Program Framework (2026-2035), which outlines national priorities and addresses the needs of relevant stakeholders to strengthen bilateral technical cooperation.

He noted that Kuwait hosts four regional service and cooperation centers in partnership with the IAEA, covering medicine, marine environment and radiation protection. Additionally, the Environmental and Life Sciences Research Center at the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) has been re-designated as an IAEA cooperation center to monitor radioactive contamination in regional waters. Al-Fassam also pointed out that KISR’s Radioactivity Measurement Laboratory has been accredited as a regional resource center for environmental radiation monitoring within the framework of the Arab States in Western Asia (ARASIA), following a memorandum of understanding signed during the conference.

Highlighting last year’s achievements, the Ambassador cited key joint projects, including initiatives to combat and treat cancer, monitor marine microplastic pollution and assess its impact on seafood safety. He stressed Kuwait’s commitment to nuclear security through its Integrated National Nuclear Security Plan, which continues to strengthen the country’s infrastructure in this vital field. Al-Fassam praised the efforts of IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi and agency experts in ensuring the safety and security of nuclear facilities worldwide.

Kuwaiti delegation, headed by Ambassador Talal Al-Fassam with the Director of the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Dr Faisal Al-Humaidan.

Ambassador Al-Fassam reaffirmed Kuwait’s stance supporting the right of all states to peaceful nuclear energy under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). He called on Iran to continue transparent cooperation with the IAEA to resolve outstanding issues and welcomed the recent agreement to resume joint cooperation between Iran and the agency under Egyptian auspices, describing it as a constructive step.

He also warned against the proliferation of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction, urging North Korea to comply with international treaties and Security Council resolutions and to cooperate fully with the IAEA. Kuwait further expressed appreciation for progress in Syria’s cooperation with the agency, leading to the resolution of issues related to the Deir ez-Zor site in line with international obligations.

Al-Fassam reiterated Kuwait’s commitment to establishing a nuclear-weapon-free zone and eliminating all weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East. He pointedly criticized the Zionist entity for refusing to join the NPT and for denying comprehensive IAEA safeguards on its nuclear facilities, stressing the need for international pressure on the occupying power. The Ambassador condemned the Zionist entity’s ongoing aggression against Qatar, describing it as a threat to regional security and stability, and reaffirmed Kuwait’s support for measures taken by Qatar to safeguard its sovereignty and protect citizens and residents.

Addressing the escalating humanitarian crisis in Palestine, Al-Fassam highlighted the unprecedented suffering of the Palestinian people, including genocide, displacement and siege, particularly in the Gaza Strip. He urged the international community and the Security Council to act decisively to end these practices, halt collective punishment, and prevent further expansion of settlements. Concluding his address, Ambassador Al-Fassam reaffirmed Kuwait’s ongoing support for the IAEA’s programs, emphasizing the country’s contributions to sustainable development and the enhancement of nuclear safety and security systems. He extended gratitude to the Conference Presidency and the agency for their continued efforts. — KUNA