Kuwait’s major events in health and environment in 2022

KUWAIT, In 2022, Kuwait witnessed many major developments and events in the areas of health and environment.

The following is a list of such major developments and events: Health services: Jan 6: Health Minister Dr. Khaled Al-Saeed tested positive for COVID-19 and was isolated at home.

Jan 26: Kuwait Ministry of Health confirmed 6,913 COVID-19 cases, and two deaths.

Jan 30: The Kuwaiti Ministry of Health provide vaccines against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to children aged between five and 11, beginning with cases that suffer severe symptoms. Feb 8: The World Allergy Organization (WAO) has accredited the Kuwaiti Abdulaziz Al-Rashed Allergy Center as a center of excellence, prompting the minister of health to hail the achievement as a credit for the whole national health sector.

Feb 23: The operations at the Health Assurance Hospitals Company (DHAMAN) began before the end of this year reflects the integrality of the partnership between the public and private sectors to the Kuwait Vision 2035 (New Kuwait).

March 18: The Ministry of Health announced that Dr. Turki Al-Otaibi of Kuwait was elected as president of the Arab Society of Nephrology and Renal Transplantation (ASNRT). April 24: Surgeon at the Mubarak Hospital Dr. Abdullah Al-Fawaz succeeded in blood vessel operation using inner sonar technology as a replacement for intravenous dye, which might affect the kidneys in some patients.

May 12: Health Minister Dr. Khaled Al-Saeed announced the launch of a new mobile service for bedridden patients.

June 1: Minister Al-Saeed inaugurated the tumor treatment ward at the Jaber Hospital, the first facility of its kind to provide such treatment other than Kuwait Cancer Control Center (KCCC). July 24: The International Diabetes Federation recognized the Dasman Diabetes Institute as a ‘center of excellence for diabetes, for its distinguished role in the field of research and medical care.

Aug 8: The Ministry of Health and the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoU) to boost joint research and provide field training for the authority’s college of nursing students.

Aug 18: The Ministry of Health closed down the Jaber Al-Ahmad Causeway’s COVID-19 vaccination center.

Aug 24: Minister of Health Dr. Khaled Al-Saeed launched the first operational phase of the new Farwaniya hospital.

Sept 15: Minister of Health Dr. Khaled Al-Saeed inaugurated the health center at the Abu Fataira area, which covered the healthcare need of some 12,000 citizens. Sept 26: International Association for Dental Research choose head of the Kuwaiti dental surgery sciences Dr. Fawaz Al-Otaibi as part of the international committee to evaluate research within dentistry. Oct 2: The Health Ministry established a crisis management center, which includes members of several state bodies. Oct 8: The World Medical Association (WMA) announced that the Kuwaiti medical society would chair association in 2023-24 during elections held in Berlin.

Oct 26: The Health Ministry announced several cases infected with the XBB strain of COVID-19 in Kuwait. Nov 6: The surgery ward at the Jaber Al-Ahmad hospital succeeded in carrying out the first endoscopy using Artificial Intelligence in Kuwait.

Nov 25: The Health Ministry announced a case of cholera for a citizen returning from a neighboring country.

Nov 27: The Health Ministry announced the success of kidney stone lithotripsy procedures using robot surgical technology.

Dec 5: Jaber Al-Ahmad hospital surgeon Dr. Meshari Al-Muhanna carried out gastric bypass surgery using a robot. Dec 12: The Ministry of Health signed deals to mitigate the medicine shortage crisis in Kuwait.

Environment: Jan 18: The Environment Public Authority (EPA) announced the organization of environmental week in Kuwait from March 6 to 12 of each year to educate people about protection of the environment and natural resources in the country held in Al-Jahra Natural Reserve. March 15: Kuwait’s Environment Public Authority (EPA) and the UN Environment Program (UNEP) Regional Office for West Asia inked a memo for bilateral cooperation in environment protection in Kuwait. April 14: EPA assigned observers at each state institute to monitor their environmental commitment. May 23: Kuwait witnessed a strong sandstorm due to northwestern winds at speed of 60 km/h, which led to the temporary closure of Kuwait Airport and the suspension of marine navigation. June 28: EPA and the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) signed an agreement to develop an early alarming system to prevent death of fish in Kuwaiti regional waters. July 3: The Environment Public Authority (EPA) and ECO Incubator for Environment and Renewable Energy Projects signed a cooperation agreement.

July 5: The EPA and the Iranian environment protection organization signed a cooperation agreement to address hazards caused by sandstorms.

Oct 25: Kuwait witnessed a partial eclipse after 1:20 pm local-time which lasted for two hours and 24 minutes. Nov 3: Chairman of the Board for the Environment Public Agency (EPA) Sheikh Abdullah Ahmad Al-Sabah inaugurated Al-Jahra natural reserve.

Dec 1: The EPA organized a campaign to plant 200 saplings in Jahra natural reserve in cooperation with diplomatic missions including the UAE and other international organizations.

Dec 14: The EPA confiscated 80 containers carrying one million liters of diesel before being smuggled out of Kuwait.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

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