Kuwait city: Caring for children with complex and chronic conditions is one of the rare, modern medical specialties that focuses on providing comprehensive and coordinated care to improve the quality of life for children and their families. This specialty emphasizes an integrated approach that considers health, psychological, and social aspects, placing the needs of the child and family at the core of care.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Dr. Ahmad Al-Jaafar, a specialist in complex and chronic pediatric care and pediatric palliative care at the Ministry of Health, explained that this specialty is one of the rarest globally due to its delicate humanitarian nature and its direct impact on the quality of life of children and their families. Dr. Al-Jaafar, the only specialist in this field in Kuwait and head of the Complex and Chronic Pediatric Care Program at Jahra Hospital, highlighted the importance of establishing a comprehensive national program based on international recommendations to serve children with severe disabilities or complex and chronic medical conditions.
The program, the first of its kind in Kuwait, was established at Jahra Hospital following a comprehensive study of the needs of different areas, which revealed a significant number of such cases in the governorate. It provides integrated services, including care for hospitalized children, outpatient clinics, home care, and continuous follow-ups through phone and digital health monitoring for families. This helps in ensuring reassurance and rapid intervention when needed.
Dr. Al-Jaafar noted that the program relies on a multi-disciplinary medical team, including pediatricians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech and swallowing therapists, nutrition specialists, and physicians from specialties such as pulmonology and neurology. This integration reduces families' suffering and spares them the burden of visiting different clinics by providing services in one location. Home care is a key component, offering medical follow-up, sample collection, treatment provision, and vaccinations inside homes for children unable to visit the hospital.
He also emphasized the program's focus on early discharge planning and smooth transition of care to adult services, ensuring continuity of treatment and uninterrupted services. Currently, the program serves more than 85 children, enrolling new cases weekly according to specific medical criteria. The outcomes have shown positive impacts, with parental satisfaction and noticeable improvement in care quality and accessibility.
Dr. Eman Al-Hashemi, pediatric and pediatric intensive care specialist and Head of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Jahra Hospital, stated that the collaboration between the pediatric intensive care team and the program represents an advanced model of integrated healthcare. This partnership supports shared medical decision-making among multi-disciplinary teams and families, enhancing the quality of care for children with complex conditions.
Dr. Al-Hashemi added that this cooperation has led to improved patient outcomes, faster medical stabilization, reduced length of stay in intensive care, and alleviation of psychological burdens on families. She emphasized the importance of regular participation of the intensive care team in multi-disciplinary outpatient clinic meetings, ensuring continuity of care and reducing unplanned readmissions. This integrated approach signifies a qualitative shift in the care model, establishing a sustainable care pathway that protects children from long-term effects of intensive care and enhances their quality of life and that of their families.