KUWAIT CITY, April 9: The Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi inaugurated the Fahaheel Health Center for medical testing of expatriate workers in the Ahmadi Health Zone. This health center has many diverse medical services as part of the ministry’s efforts to enhance and provide exceptional healthcare services. In a press statement issued after the inauguration of the center, Minister Al-Awadhi explained that the center has three floors for providing primary health care services to workers who are holders of article 18 visa. It has nine clinics, including diabetes, diabetic foot, chronic diseases, and others. It is one of the eight centers serving the Ahmadi health zone. There is an integrated center for school health services that has ten clinics, in addition to two laboratories to provide integrated laboratory services linked to the electronic system of Adan Hospital.

The expatriate medical test center will serve 300 to 500 expatriates per day. It has four X-ray machines, as well as a Dental Department for Ahmadi School Health Zone program for oral and dental health, in addition to ten clinics, two X-ray machines, and two sterilization clinics. All of these services operate under one roof in the Fahaheel Health Center. This is considered a qualitative leap for the ministry to reduce the pressure on many of the services provided in the Ahmadi Health Zone. The minister stressed that this center is designated for both expatriates and citizens but the Fahaheel Specialized Center will provide its services only to citizens.

Meanwhile, the Assistant Undersecretary for Health Care Affairs at the Ministry of Health Dr. Nadia Jumaa said, “The Expatriate Medical Test Center receives male applicants holding Article 18 and operates throughout the week from 7:00 am to 12 midnight. The Fahaheel Health Center includes specialized clinics, including diabetes, chronic diseases, diabetic foot, children, bedwetting, obesity, ENT (ear, nose, throat), eyes, dermatology, and internal medicine clinics. The center receives about 1,054 cases per month.” Regarding future openings, she indicated that the Mutlaa Center N10 will open soon and will have many specialized clinics such as dermatology, maternity, and others.

In addition, Director of the Preventive Health Department Dr. Fahad Al-Ghamlas highlighted the ministry’s expansion plan in services. He explained that a large part of the Fahaheel center is designated for testing expatriate workers as a form of health security, and is allocated to provide medical test services for new arrivals and for renewing the residency of existing expats. Dr. Al-Ghamlas said, “An appointment needs to be booked in advance on the website, after which blood tests and X-rays are carried out. After completing the tests, the rest of the residency procedures will be completed with the Ministry of Interior. It is one of the safety lines within the ministry’s strategy to provide the service to facilitate citizens and all segments of expatriate workers, irrespective of whether they are under Article 18 or Article 20.” He highlighted the ministry’s keenness to reduce waiting times.

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