Harbi: Jaber Hospital for Kuwaitis only
KUWAIT: Minister of Health Jamal Al-Harbi reaffirmed Sunday that the new world-class Jaber Hospital would start operation in months to serve nationals only. A highly qualified foreign administration would manage the hospital until training of national cadres is completed to take over later, the minister said in statements to reporters during the inauguration of three medical centers affiliated to the private Al-Salam International Hospital.
“As of next month, the international administrative team will start training 75 national cadres to qualify them to take over management affairs with their foreign peers,” he said. He elaborated that the equipment would be delivered to Jaber Hospital starting from June. The hospital will later start operation with outpatient clinics in the first phase, Harbi said. He added that the ministry has prepared a highly-skilled 2,600-member nursing team to work at Jaber Hospital. He however admitted there is a shortage of doctors, technicians and pharmacists.
Harbi stated that after the inauguration of Jaber Hospital, the ministry would open the new Razi and Amiri Hospitals. “We are also focusing our efforts on Jahra Hospital, which will be the largest hospital in Kuwait,” he said. On the medical centers of Al-Salam International Hospital, the minister noted that the centers are for dentistry, kidney diseases and physical therapy. He pointed out that Al-Salam International Hospital offers distinguished healthcare services to Kuwaiti retirees who hold AFIA health insurance cards. The new centers have 12 dentistry clinics and 16 kidney dialysis machines, he said. The minister said he was pleased by the high-quality services provided by Al-Salam Hospital to Kuwaitis.
CEO of Al-Salam International Hospital Dr Ayman Al-Mutawa emphasized the importance of the role played by private medical institutions in easing the burden on government hospitals and medical centers and helping the health ministry realize its strategy and plans. He viewed private medical institutions as key partners of the government in upgrading healthcare services in the country.