KUWAIT CITY, Aug 18: The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, and Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Affairs Dr. Al-Mundhir Al-Hassawi conducted an inspection tour of the Kuwait Center for Disease Prevention and Control. The visit aimed to monitor work progress, review the efforts of health monitoring teams, enhance preventive measures, and ensure full readiness to confront the current health challenges.

During the visit, Dr. Al-Mutairi studied the current work plans to monitor global health developments, especially after the declaration of a “global health emergency” due to the outbreak of monkeypox in some areas around the world. He expressed appreciation for the tireless efforts exerted by the center’s workers. Dr. Al-Mutairi stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation and coordination between various health sectors to confront any potential health threats. He said the ministry is taking all necessary measures to protect the health of citizens and expatriates in Kuwait and provide necessary support to the center’s work teams to ensure continued efficiency and readiness in the face of developments.

Meanwhile, Dr. Al-Mundhir Al- Hassawi said the center’s monitoring teams are closely following the global epidemiological situation, and are in continuous contact with international health organizations to keep pace with any new developments that may affect the health situation in Kuwait. In addition, the Director of the Infection Prevention Department at the Ministry of Health Dr. Ahmad Al-Mutawa affirmed the Ministry of Health’s full readiness to deal with cases of the mpox virus if it appears. He stressed that the Kuwaiti health system is strong and has experience in dealing with such situations, starting with the methods of testing and reaching the correct diagnosis, all the way to the availability of treatments and vaccines for dealing with the virus.

In a special interview with Kuwait TV, Dr. Al-Mutawa explained that “Dealing with the monkeypox virus is completely different from the COVID-19 virus. The latter was an exceptional case worldwide, and we did not have any prior information about the virus. We did not know the correct methods of testing it, or we did not know anything about the treatments and vaccines for it. The situation is completely different with monkeypox, as there are vaccines for the virus. We know quite well the correct methods for diagnosis and we have the appropriate treatments.” He assured that the health situation in the country is stable, adding, “Despite cases of the virus emerging in countries with less advanced health systems, the Kuwaiti health system is strong and capable of handling the virus if it arrives. We are equipped with the necessary treatments, testing, and vaccines to combat it effectively”.

By Marwa Al-Bahrawi
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff