KUWAIT: Kuwait is making significant strides in nuclear medicine by introducing state-of-the-art hybrid imaging devices to enhance its healthcare system, said an official with the ministry of health Saturday.
Dr Abdulredha Ismail, Chairman of Nuclear Medicine Departments Council at the health ministry, said these advanced devices, the first of their kind in the Gulf and the Middle East, are designed to support the diagnosis and treatment of various medical conditions, particularly in the fields of nephrology, urology, and oncology.
He explained that the nuclear medicine departments receive over 10,000 cases annually, noting that this number is increasing, especially with the introduction of several new diagnostic tests. He also highlighted the availability of the latest combined imaging services, including positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at Jahra Hospital, with plans to expand this service to the new Farwaniya Hospital and the new Kuwait Cancer Center in the near future. Dr Ismail emphasized that the addition of three hybrid imaging systems places Kuwait at the forefront of the region in terms of the number of such advanced devices.
He highlighted the importance of these innovations during the opening of a workshop on "Imaging Kidney and Urinary Tract Diseases in Nuclear Medicine.” The event, organized by the Ministry of Health and sponsored by Minister of Health Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi, featured local and international experts in nuclear medicine, molecular imaging, urology, oncology, and organ transplantation.
The workshop, led by Dr Zeina Al-Banna, aimed to showcase the latest advancements in nuclear medicine, particularly in diagnosing kidney and urinary tract diseases. Sessions included discussions on artificial intelligence in nuclear imaging, developments in newborn diagnostics, radiation safety protocols, and the role of nuclear medicine in kidney transplant procedures. The event also included contributions from leading experts from the US, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. — KUNA