KUWAIT CITY, Nov 12: Minister of Health Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadhi emphasized that the Ministry's commitment to staying abreast of the latest global medical advancements and utilizing cutting-edge surgical techniques was the driving force behind the introduction of the surgical robot for head, neck, and skull base surgeries. He made this statement in his speech at the opening of the 46th Conference on Otorhinolaryngology, Head, and Neck Surgery, held today, Tuesday. The speech was delivered on his behalf by the Ministry’s Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health, Dr. Munther Al-Hasawi.

Minister Al-Awadhi explained that the use of this advanced technology provides doctors with exceptional levels of accuracy and control, enabling them to perform surgeries with greater flexibility. He added that the reliance on modern technologies, which minimizes human intervention, has greatly enhanced the system's efficiency and effectiveness.

The conference, organized by the Ministry of Health with international participation over three days, highlights the latest scientific research and surgical advancements, with a special focus on hearing, balance, and speech difficulties.

Dr. Al-Awadhi also highlighted the achievements of the Zain Specialized Center for Ear, Nose, and Throat, which has significantly reduced waiting times for both clinics and surgeries. This improvement is attributed to the opening of evening clinics and the increase in visiting doctors specializing in precise fields, leading to more efficient operations. Additionally, the center has expanded cochlear implants and hearing aid services.

He further noted the opening of a multi-specialty clinic in cooperation with allergy and chest specialists to treat patients with sinus allergies and related conditions. Efforts to increase the number of hearing and balance clinics have also been made to reduce waiting times at the Salem Al-Ali Center for Hearing and Speech.

Minister Al-Awadhi mentioned the establishment of a specialized team for remote cochlear device programming, the opening of a speech clinic at the Salwa Specialized Center, and plans to launch another clinic in Jaber Al-Ahmad City.