KUWAIT: The first Kuwait Public-Private Partnership Conference (PPPKW) was launched under the patronage of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah with the sponsorship and participation of Health Assurance Hospitals Company (DHAMAN), where DHAMAN CEO Thamer Arab delivered a keynote speech in which he expressed gratitude to the sponsor of the conference His Highness the Prime Minister, as well as his representative the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah, noting the importance of the event, which reflects the strategic economic direction of the State of Kuwait to expand the scope of private sector participation, as it is the most important pillar of the economic system, and considered as one of the main directions for facing challenges and implementing the vision of New Kuwait 2035.
Thamer Arab added that countries and governments are seeking various ways to develop healthcare for their communities, and many of them tend to invest in strategic partnerships between the public and private sectors for this goal. In Kuwait, we find that the number of residents is large compared to the number of citizens, which prompted the State of Kuwait to adopt advanced healthcare systems through public-private partnerships to reduce the financial burdens on the state budget, improve the operation of healthcare services and facilities, as well as expand access to high-quality healthcare.
Therefore, Kuwait launched the first pioneering and ambitious partnership in the health sector through the Health Assurance Hospitals Company (DHAMAN) to become the new healthcare destination for all residents working in the private sector and their families, as well as an optional destination for citizens.
Thamer Arab noted that the establishment of DHAMAN is based on an Amiri directive and a resolution of the Council of Ministers to be one of the strategic projects and the most important element of the healthcare pillar in the vision of New Kuwait 2035 in the development plan to provide high-quality healthcare and develop the infrastructure of the health sector to benefit Kuwaiti citizens and nearly 2 million of residents working in the private sector and their families, which will lead to direct results in reducing the operational and financial burdens on government health facilities, as the numbers prove the need to reduce the state budget to maximize economic benefits, as well as stimulate projects and development programs to reach the Amir's vision for New Kuwait 2035.
DHAMAN works to enhance the financial sustainability of the country through two directions, with the first is to reduce the financial and administrative burdens on the state represented in capital expenditures and costs directed to the health sector, which doubles at large rates annually, while the second direction is to achieve rewarding investment returns for shareholders, including the public sector and Kuwaiti citizens.
Thamer Arab highlighted the achievements of DHAMAN that despite the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company has taken tangible steps in establishing its integrated healthcare system, which includes a network of primary healthcare centers and hospitals, where three healthcare centers were opened in Hawally, Farwaniya and Dhajeej, and it is currently completing two additional centers In Jahra and Fahaheel, which gives it more presence in various areas.
The company has also completed more than 50 percent of the construction and readiness for its hospitals in Ahmadi and Jahra with a total capacity of 600 beds and many important medical specialties with all related facilities. The upcoming two hospitals and two centers will be completed during 2022, giving more momentum and capabilities to the Company, stressing that the expected full operation of DHAMAN facilities will contribute to the development of the healthcare system in Kuwait, stimulate an effective environment for the application of quality programs in health services, and provide the opportunity to focus on prevention, community health and enhance public awareness, which lead to improving the level of service provided to citizens and residents alike.
Thamer Arab affirmed that DHAMAN represents a major foundation for the plans to develop the health sector in Kuwait, especially the size of its investments amount to approximately KD 180 million, which is aimed at developing the sector's infrastructure with the application of sustainability principles, quality enhancement, prevention and community health programs, which affect increasing of healthcare indicators for the State of Kuwait on international level, with this and more in cooperation and coordination with the Ministry of Health (MoH), which has contributed and is still contributing greatly to the State of Kuwait.
In conclusion, Thamer Arab expressed gratitude and appreciation to the sponsor of the conference, all participants, and the event's organizer Nouf Expo, wishing that all partnership projects achieve their goals by contributing to the development and progress of Kuwait to implement Healthcare ... for New Kuwait.