
Chest Diseases Hospital performs Kuwait's first minimally invasive coronary artery surgeries
KUWAIT: In a groundbreaking medical milestone, the Chest Diseases Hospital has successfully performed minimally invasive coronary artery surgeries on a number of patients - marking the first time such a procedure has been carried out in Kuwait. Led by Consultant Cardiac Surgeon Dr Muhammad Meshal Al-Ayar, the surgical team achieved a 100 percent success rate, with all patients recovering satisfactorily. The procedures, hailed as a significant advancement in cardiac care, signal a new chapter in Kuwait's medical achievements.
KUWAIT: Chest Diseases Hospital successfully performed minimally invasive coronary artery surgeries for a number of patients—marking the first time such procedures have been carried out in Kuwait. Led by Consultant Cardiac Surgeon Dr Muhammad Meshal Al-Ayar, the surgical team achieved a 100 percent success rate, with all patients recovering satisfactorily.
Dr Al-Ayar explained that the innovative technique differs fundamentally from traditional coronary artery bypass surgery, which requires opening the entire chest. Instead, the new method involves a small incision - no larger than five centimeters - on the left side of the chest. This less invasive approach significantly reduces the extent of surgical intervention, shortens hospitalization and accelerates recovery. 'This represents a qualitative leap in heart surgery,' Dr Al-Ayar said, noting that patients who undergo this technique are able to return to their normal activities within just three to five days, compared to the extended recovery periods associated with conventional procedures.
He added that the adoption of this advanced surgical method reflects the hospital's commitment to keeping pace with the latest international medical technologies and offering world-class healthcare services. 'This achievement highlights the capability of Kuwaiti medical professionals and their readiness to implement cutting-edge surgical practices in accordance with global standards,' he said.
Dr Al-Ayar extended his gratitude to the Ministry of Health for its ongoing support and for equipping the hospital with state-of-the-art medical technologies. He also praised the leadership of the Chest Diseases Hospital, particularly Medical Director Dr Jamal Al-Fadhli, for their continuous encouragement and support of the hospital's medical teams. The success of these pioneering surgeries is a strong indicator of the advancement of the national healthcare system and the growing role of local expertise in delivering top-tier medical services in Kuwait.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Kuwait Times
a day ago
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait's Health Ministry nears completion of 2 hospitals; 16 projects in pipeline
New Maternity Hospital's main facility set to open soon: KTV KUWAIT: Kuwait is implementing an ambitious national strategy to modernize its healthcare infrastructure, improve service quality, and expand access to treatment. Under the framework of its 2024/2025 development plan, the country has allocated around KD 140 million to a portfolio of 20 public health projects aimed at improving care delivery and long-term system sustainability. According to the Ministry of Health, 13 of these projects are currently in the execution phase, three are in preparatory stages, two are in final delivery, and two have been completed. Major projects underway Speaking to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Assistant Undersecretary for Engineering and Projects at the Ministry of Health Ibrahim Al-Nahham, said the ministry is working to complete several large-scale health infrastructure projects in line with international standards. One of the latest additions to Kuwait's healthcare infrastructure is the New Maternity Hospital in the Sabah Health Zone, which was inaugurated in April. So far, only the outpatient clinic has been opened to patients, while the main facility — which includes operating and delivery rooms as well as inpatient wards — is expected to open soon, according to a KTV report aired this week. Four major construction projects are currently underway: The New Sabah Hospital; The New Adan Hospital; The Communicable Diseases Hospital; and The Kuwait Cancer Center. The latter two are expected to open in the coming days, Al-Nahham told KUNA. New Al-sabah Hospital Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Building at the New Adan Hospital Assistant Undersecretary for Engineering Affairs and Projects, Eng. Ibrahim Al-Nahham New Infectious Diseases Hospital The Childhood and Motherhood Building at new Adan Hospital The New Sabah Hospital spans over 88,710 square meters with a total built-up area of 280,636 square meters. It features 512 inpatient beds, 105 ICU beds, and 72 outpatient clinics across multiple specialties. The main facility consists of three towers, a helipad for emergency transport, and support buildings, including parking and technical services. The Communicable Diseases Hospital will offer 224 inpatient beds and eight ICU beds. It also includes departments for emergency services, radiology, pharmacy, and medical records. The Kuwait Cancer Center will cover 226,525 square meters and is planned to operate with 618 beds using fully automated systems. As for the New Adan Hospital, it is being developed as a multi-facility complex of seven interconnected buildings, including a maternity and pediatrics hospital, a surgical building, rehabilitation center, and administrative offices for the Ahmadi Health Zone. Underground tunnels will connect the facilities to streamline operations and patient care. International collaboration In parallel with infrastructure upgrades, Kuwait continues to strengthen its cooperation with international and regional partners. This includes agreements to support medical training, digital systems, and public health initiatives. Locally, several memoranda of understanding have been signed with other government entities to promote the National Healthy Cities Strategy. The goal is to raise awareness on healthy living and convert policy strategies into actionable projects. Internationally, the Ministry of Health has held a series of meetings in recent months with European Union ambassadors and health representatives to exchange expertise and explore training and research collaboration. In July, Health Minister Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi signed five memoranda of understanding with leading medical institutions in Paris to support knowledge exchange and bilateral health cooperation. The partnerships aim to enhance specialized care in areas such as oncology, cardiology, and organ transplants. One of the key components is the development of telemedicine services that would allow Kuwaiti patients and physicians to access expert opinions and diagnostic support remotely. Healthy cities initiative The ministry also continues its long-term collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), which formally opened a country office in Kuwait four years ago. WHO has recognized Kuwait's ongoing initiatives to promote public health and sustainability. Kuwait launched its Healthy Cities initiative around a decade ago, aligning with global efforts to meet the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. As of this year, 18 Kuwaiti cities are registered on the WHO's Eastern Mediterranean Regional Healthy Cities Network, and seven have received formal recognition. According to the United Nations, a 'healthy city' is not one that is already healthy, but one that commits to improving the living environment for all residents. The WHO defines such cities as places that prioritize health in urban planning, promote community participation, and support equitable access to services. The government also invests heavily in the development of local medical talent. This includes scholarships for Kuwaiti students to study medicine and pharmacy abroad, as well as cooperation agreements with universities and health institutions worldwide. The goal is to build a workforce capable of meeting future health challenges. In recent months, Kuwait successfully conducted nine advanced robotic surgeries remotely, demonstrating the growing capabilities of its local medical teams. This reflects broader efforts to reduce the number of patients sent abroad for treatment by expanding access to specialized care locally. — Agencies
Kuwait Times
2 days ago
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait's DDI uses AI to identify new drug targets for diabetes
KUWAIT: A senior scientist at Kuwait's Dasman Diabetes Institute (DDI) has harnessed cutting-edge artificial intelligence to unlock new insights into the molecular mechanisms of diabetes, paving the way for future drug development. Dr Anwar Mohammed, Head of the Precision Health Analysis Unit and Senior Scientist at DDI, led a research study that demonstrates how AI can revolutionize our understanding of complex biological structures related to diabetes. The research was recently published in the Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine. By using AlphaFold 3, a powerful AI model developed by Google DeepMind, Dr Anwar modeled the interaction between the KLF15 zinc finger domain and DNA — a key element in understanding type 2 diabetes at a molecular level. The accuracy of 'AlphaFold 3' was confirmed by comparing the modeled structure with experimental X-ray crystallography data, said DDI in a press statement. Dr Anwar also incorporated molecular dynamics simulations and binding energy calculations to identify critical hotspots that could support the design of targeted therapies. 'These applications can help understand disease mechanisms and design targeted therapies which are anticipated to yield advancements in healthcare and drug discovery,' said the statement. Dr Anwar's research highlights the growing role of AI in structural biology, a field that seeks to understand the three-dimensional structures of biomolecules like proteins and DNA and how that is related to their interactions. His findings emphasize AI's ability to accelerate the development of targeted therapies — especially crucial for chronic diseases like diabetes. Dr Anwar also credited the institute and its founding organization for enabling this work. He expressed gratitude for DDI's and KFAS' continuous support for Kuwaiti scientists in the field of research, science and medicine. Founded by the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), Dasman Diabetes Institute has long been recognized as a regional leader in diabetes research. Its ongoing support of innovation continues to position Kuwait on the frontlines of global scientific progress.


Arab Times
2 days ago
- Arab Times
India and Kuwait to advance strategic ties across multiple sectors
KUWAIT CITY, July 28: Indian Ambassador to Kuwait, Dr. Adarsh Swaika, underscored the robust and expanding relationship between India and Kuwait following his recent meeting with His Highness the Prime Minister, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah. Ambassador Swaika described the meeting as a pivotal opportunity to receive directives from the Prime Minister aimed at further developing the strategic partnership between the two nations. He noted that His Highness reaffirmed his firm commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and welcomed recent initiatives, including the launch of an electronic visa facility for Kuwaiti citizens traveling to India. The ambassador highlighted that the Kuwaiti leadership expressed readiness to implement agreements reached during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Kuwait in December 2024. He also praised the Kuwaiti government's supportive policies towards the large Indian expatriate community, acknowledging their positive impact on the community's living and working conditions. "This high-level meeting was crucial to align the leadership's directives with the efforts of the relevant ministries," Swaika said. Regarding ongoing cooperation, the ambassador revealed preparations are underway for a joint committee meeting at the foreign ministers' level. Prior to this, seven working groups formed last year will convene to submit reports and recommendations to the ministerial meeting. Some of these sessions are planned to take place in Kuwait, others in New Delhi, while some will be conducted virtually. Medical cooperation between the two countries is gaining momentum. A recent virtual preparatory meeting of the joint medical committee addressed common health challenges such as diabetes and obesity, areas where both nations see significant collaboration potential. Ambassador Swaika noted the growing interest of Indian pharmaceutical companies in entering the Kuwaiti market, especially as many Indian medicines meet US and European regulatory standards. 'We are promoting medical treatment opportunities in India, supported by affordable e-medical visas and world-class healthcare services,' he said. Significantly, some Indian firms have expressed interest in establishing pharmaceutical manufacturing units in Kuwait. 'This idea is on the table, and we are exploring pathways to make it a reality,' Swaika added. The joint medical committee, which meets at the Assistant Undersecretary level, anticipates an upcoming meeting either in New Delhi or Kuwait to further advance healthcare collaboration. On the political front, the ambassador confirmed preparations for a new round of consultations between officials from both countries' foreign ministries. Specifically, discussions will be held between Kuwait's Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs and his Indian counterpart. These talks aim to coordinate diplomatic positions and deepen the strategic partnership. This developing relationship reflects a shared commitment by Kuwait and India to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors, ranging from trade and healthcare to political dialogue and community welfare.