KUWAIT CITY, Dec 12: Minister of Health, Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi affirmed that the launch of the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system marks a significant advancement in the management of blood transfusion services. The system enables precise tracking of the blood supply chain from donor to recipient, which strengthens trust in the safety of blood products and improves patient safety.

In his speech during the system's launch on Thursday, Dr. Al-Awadhi described RFID technology as a groundbreaking project in healthcare services. He stated that it represents a milestone toward improving patient safety and the quality of healthcare services, aligning with the Ministry's vision, the national health strategy, and the country’s development plan.

The Minister explained that the RFID system will help reduce human errors in patient identification or blood type mismatches by automating tracking and verification processes, thus enhancing patient safety and the quality of health services.

Dr. Al-Awadhi noted that the technology has been integrated into the Central Blood Bank and its eight branches, as well as all external donation campaigns, with the aim of ensuring optimal distribution and accurate management of the national blood supply.

He added that the RFID system also improves the efficiency of operational processes by providing an updated database that enables quick responses to emergencies and accelerates the examination and tracking of blood bags, saving both time and effort while ensuring the highest levels of efficiency.

The Minister emphasized that the Ministry is committed to developing its digital infrastructure and fostering innovation in health services to meet the needs of citizens and residents, while adhering to the highest international standards of quality and safety.

Dr. Reem Al-Radwan, Director of the Blood Transfusion Services Department at the Ministry of Health, highlighted that the introduction of RFID technology demonstrates the Ministry's commitment to incorporating the latest technological advancements in the context of a comprehensive digital transformation.

Dr. Al-Radwan mentioned that global studies have proven the effectiveness of RFID in improving blood transfusion safety in developed countries, reinforcing the Ministry's goal of establishing Kuwait as a leader in this field.

She explained that the RFID system works by attaching RFID chips to blood bags, encoding essential tracking data, which allows for precise monitoring of blood supplies during storage and transport to hospitals.

This technology, according to Dr. Al-Radwan, is a crucial step in developing blood inventory management and efficiently meeting national needs, particularly with the growing demand for healthcare services in Kuwait.

She further explained that the launch of this technology aligns with the Ministry’s vision of creating an integrated healthcare system that relies on advanced technology, making the adoption of RFID a strategic move towards achieving comprehensive digital transformation. This positions Kuwait among the leading countries in providing innovative and effective health services.

Dr. Al-Radwan also stated that the Blood Transfusion Services Department has collected approximately 90,000 blood bags this year and produced more than 215,000 blood products, including platelets and plasma, to meet the clinical needs of patients, including those with cancer, thalassemia, and trauma-related injuries.

She noted that this project is part of the Ministry of Health's strategic vision to improve the quality of health services and ensure their sustainability, in line with the latest scientific advancements and international standards.