KUWAIT CITY, Nov 11: The Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi announced that 80 new ambulances will enter service at the beginning of the year 2024, revealing that these ambulances will be brought from the United States of America to support the health system in Kuwait, particularly the Medical Emergency Department. In a press statement issued on the sidelines of the inauguration of the Mutlaa City Ambulance Center on Thursday, Dr. Al-Awadhi expressed appreciation towards the opening of the first center for medical emergencies in the area to serve the people of the area, which includes 28,000 housing units with currently about five thousand families living there. He indicated that four healthcare centers will also be opened after receiving them to complete the health system.

Dr. Al-Awadhi stressed that the current ambulance center will operate with a capacity of six ambulances, two cars, and six emergency medical technicians, and will operate around the clock and will be supported by the Jahra Health Zone and the new Jahra Hospital. He affirmed the keenness of the Ministry of Health to support this system with medical and nursing teams in the near future. Dr. Al-Awadhi indicated that he will make tours of the new clinics being implemented and push for urgently completing and operating them so that they will be the first line of defense, especially after life has begun to flourish in the area, in addition to supporting the air ambulances if needed. He stressed that the ministry will provide all support and assistance to the Medical Emergency Department, and will strengthen it with male and female technicians. Dr. Al-Awadhi said the ambulance center serves the Salmi border and the residents of the area, adding that there is a development plan, part of which concerns the Medical Emergency Department, as well as the development of air and sea ambulances.

Completed

He affirmed that the health system is completed with the combined efforts of everyone, adding that the Jahra Health Zone is the first line of defense for the northern part of the country due to which the Ministry was keen to support the Jahra Hospital and the New Jahra Hospital with local medical personnel and high-level international expertise, in addition to completing the system with primary health care.

Meanwhile, the Director of the Medical Emergency Department Dr. Ahmad Al-Shatti said in a press statement that about nine ambulance centers were opened within one year, compared to only three centers last year. He revealed that this center completes a chain of 86 ambulance centers in Kuwait and that these openings are in line with the development and expansion plan to establish new cities. Dr. Al-Shatti affirmed that the Mutlaa Residential Area will include four primary health care centers as well as four ambulance centers. He expressed appreciation for the efforts of the workers in the ambulance centers and their pivotal role in the interest of the citizens.

Dr. Al-Shatti highlighted the keenness of the Ministry of Health to return the favor to the people of Kuwait and send a message to the people of the Mutlaa area that “they are on our minds like any other area”. He said the center will work around the clock in providing its services to the Abdali Road to reduce the burden with a quick response, adding that it includes places for sterilization and storage and rooms to receive reports. In addition, the Head of the Mutlaa Ambulance Center Abdul Rahman Al-Yousef explained the center’s area is one thousand square meters and consists of two floors -, ground and first. There will be six technicians on each shift, along with a driver. The head of the center will always be available to serve the people of the Mutlaa area. There is also a special section for technicians for cases that require a female component. He indicated that sterilization and cleaning procedures were introduced after the COVID-19 pandemic, due to which sterilization places were prepared to be on standby, in addition to personal protection and preventive measures.

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