KUWAIT: Minister of Health Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi and his accompanying delegation, which includes the assistant undersecretary for foreign health services affairs and the assistant undersecretary for medicines and medical equipment, participated in the Ninth Turkish Medical Conference in Istanbul at the invitation of the Turkish minister of health.

The three-day conference, attended by over 14 health ministers from various countries, focused on discussions regarding the use of “artificial intelligence in the healthcare sector” and involved numerous bilateral meetings between the participating delegations.

Dr Awadhi delivered Kuwait’s speech, emphasizing the close and productive relationship between Turkey and Kuwait in various areas, including healthcare. During the conference, Dr Awadhi met with his Turkish counterpart Fahrettin Khoja for a joint bilateral meeting. They discussed the deep ties between the two brotherly nations and peoples, as well as the comprehensive healthcare cooperation agreement and methods for its enhancement and development.

ISTANBUL: Minister of Health Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi with his Turkish counterpart Fahrettin Khoja during the signing of the MoU.

In the course of the bilateral meeting between the Kuwaiti ministry of health, led by Dr Awadhi and the Turkish ministry of health, headed by Khoja, a memorandum of understanding — “letter of intent” — was signed. This memorandum is based on the cooperation agreement in the field of healthcare between the government of Turkey and the government of Kuwait, dated Feb 12, 2008.

It is noteworthy that the areas of enhanced cooperation and coordination between the two sides, as outlined in the cooperation agreement, include the following aspects:

1. Sharing information and experiences to strengthen healthcare systems.

2. Collaboration in emergency healthcare services and disaster management.

3. Partnership in healthcare investment and service provision.

4. Joint efforts in treating patients abroad.

5. Enhancing collaboration in the procurement of medications, medical devices and consumables.

6. Organizing short-term training courses to build capacity with relevant institutions and organizations in Turkey.

7. Sharing experiences and cooperating in healthcare information systems.