KUWAIT CITY, Dec 11: Minister of Health, Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadi, announced an electronic link has been established between 117 primary health care centers to organize and control the dispensing of medicines and prevent waste, if any, as well as linking the four hospitals – Jahra, Farwaniya, Jaber Al-Ahmed and the Mubarak Al-Kabeer, reports Al-Rai daily. Al-Awadi stressed that the issue of drug security “is a ‘red line’ and is our first priority, noting that the ministry is working around the clock to provide medicines.”

He added more than one committee has been formed in warehouse management and health officials to work around the clock to provide medicines, indicating that he and the senior ministry officials visited six public hospitals including the accident and general surgery departments to see the process of dispensing medicines in emergency pharmacies and the availability of alternatives for them.

Problem
He called on patients and visitors to ask for the alternative if they have a problem to find medicines in pharmacies or primary health care centers and clinics, stressing on the keenness of the Ministry of Health to enhance stocks. The minister of health affirmed the ministry’s keenness to develop its medical services in the field of robotic surgery to raise quality, improve performance and reduce side effects.

Al-Awadi said that the Ministry of Health has carried out 800 operations using robots, 300 of them during the past three years, stressing that it is considered the future of medical surgeries. The minister expressed his sincere appreciation to the committee responsible for preparing and organizing this conference for their sincere efforts, stressing the need to continue the task of scientific and knowledge development to serve the country and citizens. Meanwhile, the Central Agency for Public Tenders has approved the list of 14 medicines that the Ministry of Health will be allowed to purchase, in addition to two requests for direct contracting for the same purpose, due to the need of these medicines in all health centers and hospitals, reports Al-Rai daily.

Varies
The medicines that the Ministry of Health requested varies between what is used to treat cancer, the digestive system, respiratory diseases, asthma, skin diseases, neurological diseases, ear diseases, and rheumatism, in addition to nutrients and antibiotics for children.

In the meantime, Minister of Health, Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadi has issued a decision regarding medical prescriptions for narcotic substances and preparations, reports Al-Jarida daily. The decision states, “The fourth paragraph of Clause First of Article One of Ministerial Resolution No. 383 of 1983 is amended to read as follows: ‘The prescription that is produced to the pharmacy must be the original and two copies. The original and the copy must be handed over to the pharmacist. The pharmacist then keeps the original and returns the copy to the patient duly signed and stamped and the second copy remains with the prescription issuing authority.