Kuwait city: Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi affirmed that investing in infection prevention and control programs is the most prudent and impactful form of investment, as it serves as a strong line of defence in reducing healthcare-associated infections, improving clinical outcomes, and easing economic burdens on the health system.
According to Kuwait News Agency, this statement was part of the minister's opening speech at the Second International Conference on Infection Prevention and Control. The event was co-organized by New Mowasat Hospital and the Kuwait Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) and attended by prominent figures such as Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Dr. Al-Munthir Al-Hasawi, Chairman of the Organizing Committee and CEO of New Mowasat Hospital Eng. Abdullah Al-Wazzan, Medical Director of the hospital Dr. Samer Abdullah, and KCDC representative Dr. Hussein Al-Shammari.
Dr. Al-Awadhi emphasized that the conference signifies more than just a continuation of scientific discussions. It embodies a strong belief that infection prevention and control have evolved from technical measures into essential components of healthcare quality. He highlighted infection control as a key measure in addressing antimicrobial resistance, a significant global public health threat. Preventing infections, he noted, directly reduces antibiotic usage and curbs the development and spread of resistant strains.
Kuwait has committed to precise national indicators to track progress through 2030, adopting the "One Health" approach, which integrates human health with environmental safety. This approach acknowledges that irrational antibiotic use and inadequate infection control necessitate high-level coordination across different sectors. Dr. Al-Awadhi expressed pride in Kuwait's progress, noting the integration of all government hospitals into the World Health Organization's global surveillance system. He praised the KCDC's pivotal role in leading efforts, standardizing policies, and building national capacities in both public and private sectors.
He also highlighted the successful collaboration between KCDC and New Mowasat Hospital, announcing an upcoming national workshop on the WHO-NET program. This initiative aims to integrate private-sector laboratories into the global surveillance system starting in 2026.
In addition, Dr. Samer Abdullah, Medical Director of New Mowasat Hospital, commented on the conference's significance in demonstrating the hospital's and broader medical community's commitment to reducing hospital-acquired infections and microbial and viral infections. These infections pose serious risks to patient safety, especially after surgical procedures. Dr. Abdullah emphasized the hospital's dedication to scientific conferences and activities, noting its long-standing history as one of Kuwait's oldest private hospitals, operating for nearly 60 years under the motto "Quality, Excellence and Caring for Generations."