MANAMA: Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs Dr Khaled Al-Ajmi on Wednesday underscored the urgent need to develop robust preventive mechanisms to shield children from the risks of the digital world, calling it a “top priority” for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. His remarks came during the opening of a high-level dialogue session in Manama on child protection in the digital era, jointly organised by the Executive Office of the GCC Labor Ministers Council and the Ministry of Social Affairs.
Dr Al-Ajmi warned that cyberspace presents a growing challenge to society at large, and to children in particular. He stressed the importance of holding such dialogue sessions to exchange expertise and best practices among Gulf countries, while identifying online threats that could endanger children’s safety, behavior and mental wellbeing. “These sessions are crucial for shaping joint action that safeguards future generations,” he said, adding that fostering awareness and resilience among children is key to building stronger societies.
Participants are pictured during the event. – KUNA photos
Speaking to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on the sidelines of the event, Dr Al-Ajmi noted that Kuwait’s participation reflects its current chairmanship of the GCC Council of Ministers of Social Affairs. He highlighted the need for intensified cooperation and shared strategies among Gulf states to address the accelerating pace of digital transformation and its impact on youth. “The swift evolution of technology demands collective efforts and unified visions to ensure children’s safety in the digital realm,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of targeted awareness campaigns and public education initiatives that outline both the benefits and risks of digitization—particularly among children.
Dr Al-Ajmi expressed hope that the dialogue would yield practical recommendations to be reviewed by the Executive Office in coordination with GCC ministries, contributing to future strategies in the field of child protection. He further noted that Kuwait remains committed to reviewing and applying successful regional practices. The Ministry of Social Affairs, he said, continues to prioritize childhood development through various dedicated centers and clubs, offering programs that protect children from external risks and cultivate their talents.
Also speaking during the session, Director General of the Executive Office of the GCC Labor Ministers Council, Mohammed Al-Obaidli, affirmed that protecting children from digital risks is a core element of social development and essential for fostering balanced societies. “Digital transformation has touched every household, every family, and every child,” Al-Obaidli said. “While we embrace the advancements it brings, we must remain alert to the social challenges it poses—especially to our youngest and most vulnerable.”
He called for a proactive approach that not only protects children but equips them to navigate the digital world safely within a nurturing family and community environment. He added that regional cooperation provides a vital opportunity to develop integrated and sustainable social policies that support children’s holistic development.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Abdulaziz Al-Nassar, delegate of the GCC Mission to the United Nations Office in Geneva, highlighted the progress achieved by Gulf countries in the field of child protection, including legislative advances and international cooperation. He stressed that safeguarding children in digital spaces is a strategic imperative, calling for enhanced global partnerships and technical assistance for countries facing such challenges. Al-Nassar also praised the diverse experiences of GCC states as valuable models that could inform regional and global initiatives aimed at strengthening child protection in cyberspace. — 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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