KUWAIT: Minister of Public Works Dr Noura Al-Mashaan on Thursday announced the launch of extensive road maintenance works in Bayan, specifically in blocks 7 and 8, as part of newly awarded contracts aimed at upgrading both highways and internal roads across the country. In a press statement, Dr Al-Mashaan affirmed that the initiative falls under 18 key maintenance projects covering roads in all six governorates. These efforts are aligned with international engineering standards and aim to enhance infrastructure efficiency and road safety.

She noted that both comprehensive and periodic maintenance works play a critical role in extending the lifespan of roads and minimizing the need for complete reconstruction. This, she added, significantly reduces future costs and supports long-term sustainability in the road sector. Meanwhile, Faisal Al-Sumait, supervisor of Project No. 9 in Hawally Governorate (first zone), said ministry teams are actively working in Bayan’s block 7 to monitor the progress of road upgrades under the new contracts.

Al-Sumait explained that current works include the application of a base asphalt layer (Type 2), followed by a final top layer (Type 3). He added that paving works are progressing in blocks 7 and 8, with the final asphalt layer recently completed on Al-Aqsa Mosque Street. He emphasized the commitment of work teams to the project timelines, stressing that the Ministry of Public Works remains dedicated to upholding the highest standards of quality and safety in all ongoing road projects. — KUNA

GENEVA: Kuwait remains firmly committed to advancing regional cooperation in tackling protracted crises and reinforcing equitable, resilient health systems, particularly across the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Minister of Health Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi affirmed on Wednesday. Delivering Kuwait’s national statement before the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, Dr Al-Awadhi underlined the country’s ongoing efforts to support collective health action under this year’s theme, “One World for Health.” The assembly, the World Health Organization’s highest decision-making body, is scheduled to continue through May 27.

Leading the Kuwaiti delegation, the minister highlighted the worsening health landscape across the region, shaped by prolonged armed conflicts, complex emergencies, mass displacement, rising rates of non-communicable diseases, growing mental health challenges, food insecurity, and the accelerating effects of climate change and environmental degradation. “These overlapping crises have severely strained health systems and limited access to essential healthcare services,” Dr Al-Awadhi said, emphasizing the need for a united and coordinated international response to mitigate the compounded impact on vulnerable populations.

Minister of Health Dr Ahmed Al-Awadhi delivers Kuwait’s statement before the World Health Assembly in Geneva.- KUNA

Touching on the situation in Palestine, the health minister expressed Kuwait’s deep concern over the deteriorating humanitarian and health conditions in the Gaza Strip. He stressed the urgent need to ensure safe and unimpeded access to medical and humanitarian aid, particularly as civilians continue to face mounting casualties, widespread malnutrition, and critical shortages of medicine and medical supplies, especially affecting the elderly, women and children.

Dr Al-Awadhi welcomed the recent adoption of the International Convention on Pandemic Preparedness and Response by the UN General Assembly, describing it as a “pivotal step” toward strengthening global health security. He called for implementation mechanisms rooted in solidarity and equitable access to health services, with special consideration for developing nations and regions grappling with long-term crises.

Domestically, the minister noted that Kuwait continues to advance its national health strategies aimed at achieving universal health coverage and enhancing the resilience of its healthcare system. Particular focus, he said, is placed on combating non-communicable diseases, including obesity and diabetes, as well as expanding mental and oral health services. He also highlighted Kuwait’s efforts to bolster immunization coverage, address antimicrobial resistance, and strengthen policies promoting environmental health and nutrition, especially for mothers, infants and young children.

Addressing the financial challenges currently facing the World Health Organization, Dr Al-Awadhi voiced Kuwait’s concern over the potential impact on the organization’s technical programs and its capacity to support countries affected by conflict and instability. He reiterated Kuwait’s call for “sustainable, flexible, and predictable” funding to ensure the WHO can continue fulfilling its vital role in responding to global health emergencies.

In closing, the minister expressed appreciation for the dedication of WHO staff worldwide and reaffirmed Kuwait’s commitment to close collaboration with the organization and fellow member states. He emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral, regional, and international cooperation in support of the Sustainable Development Goals and in building fairer, stronger global health systems. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwait hosted a specialized training workshop for members of the technical committees of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries under the “Wafid” program, aimed at enhancing cooperation and unifying health procedures related to the medical examination of expatriate workers. The three-day workshop was jointly organized by Kuwait’s Ministry of Health, represented by the Public Health Department, and the Health Council of the GCC countries.

Director of the Public Health Department at the Ministry of Health, Dr Fahad Al-Ghamlas, said in a press statement on Thursday that the workshop brings together a select group of doctors and public health specialists from across the GCC, all of whom are involved in the medical screening of expatriates from labor-exporting countries.

Participants take group photos after the technical committees workshop for the Wafid Program. – KUNA photos

Dr Al-Ghamlas noted that the workshop focuses on reviewing and updating the regulations governing medical examinations for expatriates entering GCC countries for employment or residency, ensuring alignment with regional and global health standards. He explained that participants are also being trained on the use of the guide to accreditation standards for medical examination centers and the application of a modern electronic evaluation form to assess center performance.

“The workshop marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to develop the external medical examination system for expatriates,” he said, adding that the initiative will bolster the reliability of health screening procedures and contribute to the early detection of communicable and non-communicable diseases, thereby reducing the health and economic burdens on GCC healthcare systems.

Dr Al-Ghamlas said the program includes several key components, including hands-on training in technical evaluation methods, review of unified Gulf health requirements, and updates to clinical, laboratory, and radiological examination protocols in line with the latest internationally approved standards. He added that Kuwait’s hosting of the workshop for the second time reflects its commitment to a unified regional strategy aimed at strengthening integration among GCC countries in the field of health policy. The initiative seeks to ensure the highest standards of quality and excellence in both preventive and therapeutic healthcare services across the region. — KUNA