KUWAIT: Health Minister Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi announced that Kuwait is on the verge of launching new organ transplant programs, including liver, heart, lung and pancreas transplants. Speaking at the 4th GCC Organ Transplantation and Nephrology Congress on Thursday, Dr Al-Awadhi emphasized the ministry’s commitment to advancing transplant services, highlighting the success of existing programs such as stem cell and pancreas transplants.
The ministry is currently working on introducing a lung transplant program as part of its ambitious expansion efforts. Dr Al-Awadhi also celebrated the achievements of Kuwait’s National Kidney Transplant Program, which set a record in 2024 with 149 successful kidney transplants and a success rate exceeding 96 percent.
Last year marked significant milestones in Kuwait’s healthcare system, including the opening of the Kuwait Center for Kidney Diseases and Transplants in Al-Sabah health zone, equipped with 80 beds and state-of-the-art technology, as well as the inauguration of the Organ Transplantation Department at Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital in March.
Dr Al-Awadhi highlighted the launch of the National Kidney Exchange Program, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at increasing donor availability and improving success rates for kidney transplants. This program is designed to provide better opportunities for patients and ease their suffering.
Addressing the conference, Dr Turki Al-Otaibi, Head of the Nephrology Department at the Kuwait Center for Kidney Diseases and Transplants and President of the Kuwaiti Society for Organ Transplants, underscored the global challenges posed by kidney diseases. He noted that these conditions affect about 10 percent of the global population, with millions suffering from kidney failure annually due to limited access to treatment, particularly in developing countries where shortages of dialysis machines and high costs strain healthcare systems.
Dr Anas Al-Yousef, Head of the Kidney Unit at Jaber Hospital and President of the Kuwaiti Nephrology Association, expressed concern about the rising prevalence of chronic kidney disease. He warned that many patients remain unaware of their condition, and global statistics predict kidney diseases will become the fifth leading cause of death by 2040. Dr Al-Yousef urged the medical community to intensify efforts to mitigate these alarming trends. — KUNA