KUWAIT CITY, Nov 30: Dr Abdul-Redha Ismail, Chairman of the Council of Nuclear Medicine Departments of the Ministry of Health, highlighted Kuwait’s significant progress in the field of nuclear medicine. He highlighted the introduction of the latest hybrid imaging devices, the first of their kind in the Gulf and the Middle East, to support Kuwait’s healthcare system.

This announcement was made during the opening of the workshop titled “Imaging of Kidney and Urinary Tract Diseases in Nuclear Medicine”, organized by the ministry under the patronage of Minister of Health, Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi. The event was held in cooperation with international and local experts specializing in nuclear medicine, molecular imaging and related fields such as urology, tumors and organ transplantation surgery.

Dr Ismail noted that the three integrated devices would make Kuwait the first country in the Middle East in terms of the number of such equipment. He praised the capabilities and dedication of medical personnel in promoting these advanced services, thereby aligning Kuwait’s health services with international standards. He also praised the continued support of Minister Dr. Al-Awadhi in the development of this vital sector. He highlighted the ministry’s commitment to remaining at the forefront of global technological advances and scientific developments in nuclear medicine, encouraging the sharing of experiences and fostering future collaborations.

Dr. Ismail further explained that the ministry has contributed significantly to the expansion of medical services by providing radioactive materials for treatment and diagnosis in all Kuwaiti hospitals. This initiative has helped improve patient care by facilitating accurate diagnosis of disease and determining appropriate steps for surgical interventions in a safe manner.

He also assured that all nuclear medicine services adhere to international safety standards and protocols to protect both patients and workers in this field. Nuclear medicine services treat more than 10,000 cases per year, a number that continues to grow, particularly with the addition of new examinations. Notably, the use of positron emission tomography combined with magnetic resonance imaging is already available at Jahra Hospital and will soon be offered at the new Farwaniya Hospital and the upcoming Kuwait Cancer Center.

Dr. Zeina Al-Banna, vice-chair of the workshop, addressed the gathering, explaining that the aim of the workshop was to strengthen the role of the Ministry of Health in the development of health services in adopting the latest nuclear medicine technologies. She noted that the event aimed to explore the latest developments in nuclear medicine and molecular imaging in Kuwait, with emphasis on the diagnosis of kidney and urinary tract diseases. The workshop included scientific sessions and interactive lectures to discuss these issues in depth.

Dr Al-Banna highlighted that the workshop would cover global advances in the use of nuclear medicine to diagnose obstructive urinary tract diseases and the role of artificial intelligence in these examinations. Additionally, the event would address the diagnosis of birth defects in newborns and radiation protection measures required for pediatric care.

The workshop also explored the role of nuclear medicine in kidney transplant cases and associated complications, as well as digital applications used to monitor kidney transplant patients. Dr Al-Banna highlighted the rapid advances in molecular imaging, particularly in the diagnosis of prostate, kidney and bladder cancers, and how this technology could improve diagnosis and treatment planning at using radioactive isotopes.

Experts from the United States, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, specializing in nuclear medicine, kidney diseases, urinary tract diseases and organ transplantation, presented and led the scientific sessions. Their participation enriched the discussions and brought valuable expertise to the event.

Dr. Al-Banna concluded by stating that organizing specialized scientific meetings like this promotes knowledge sharing and collaboration among doctors, thus ensuring better diagnostic and therapeutic services to patients. The one-day workshop was accredited by the Continuing Medical Education Department of the Kuwait Institute of Medical Specialties.