WHO EMRO's chief extols Kuwait's duties in containing coronavirus

KUWAIT, Feb 29: Director of the World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (WHO EMRO) Dr. Ahmad Al-Mandhari commended on Saturday Kuwait's concerned authorities for containing the outbreak of the emerging novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

In a press conference held by Kuwait's Ministry of Health (MoH) on the sidelines of WHO's delegation visit to follow-up on the ministry's actions, Dr. Al-Mandhari acclaimed efforts made by the country's government in implementing the organization's recommendations regarding the spread of COVID-19.
Procedures of Kuwait's authorities include enhancing effective monitoring in all country outlets, hospitals, health centers and screening upon entry to all travelers coming from infected countries.
Measures taken by Kuwaiti authorities are to train health workers on the front lines, deal with contacts and put them in quarantine, isolate confirmed cases and scatter public awareness as well as other measures, Al-Mandhari pointed out.

He thanked Kuwait's government for its tireless work in response to the outbreak, as it is one of the signatories of the 2005 International Health Regulations and is working to fulfill its obligations including responding to early detection of public health happenings fast.
WHO is following-up on the number of cases in the region and the misinformation spread in various means of communication and the media that strikes panic, he added.

Procedures are divided into three levels; the first is depending on WHO's recommendations, second is Kuwait's specific techniques and the third is WHO's additional measures.
Awareness to Kuwait targets all age groups in society, in addition to publishing these instructions in all outlets of the country.
WHO relies on the media and health workers on the front lines to provide accurate information and report to MoH, he noted.
The media plays a pivotal role in assisting WHO's efforts and the concerned authorities in every country to contain this outbreak and manage it correctly.

In the context of containing the spread, there are three main priorities; protecting health workers, protecting the most vulnerable especially the elderly and individuals suffering from chronic diseases, and protecting the most risked countries.
WHO launched weeks ago the regional preparedness and response plan aiming to expand the scope of alertness to prevent expanding COVID-19 and its early detection, he pointed out.

Al-Mandhari underscored the significance of transparent communication with specialists of WHO in terms of numbers and other details, as well as exchanging that information in a timely manner.
Kuwaiti MoH cooperates with WHO in full transparency in order to protect citizens and residents.

He explained that WHO's delegation will conduct a field tour on the quarantine places in Kuwait at Jaber A-Ahmad Al-Sabah Hospital to grasp closely the procedures to undertake.

In the last 24 hours, MoH reported no COVID-19 cases in Kuwait (KUNA)