Kuwait launches 'First Responder Fleet' to boost emergency medical services
Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi inaugurated the project during a ceremony held in Kuwait City, describing the new fleet as a vital extension of the national health strategy aimed at bolstering medical preparedness and response times during emergencies.
'This project is not merely a logistical addition but a tangible embodiment of the state's commitment to enhancing its emergency healthcare infrastructure,' said Dr. Al-Awadhi. 'It reflects our national vision to protect lives and minimize health complications by improving rapid response capabilities.'
The First Responder initiative is the result of strategic cooperation between the Ministry's Medical Emergency Department and the General Secretariat of Awqaf. It is designed to ensure swift access to life-saving care, including early resuscitation and first aid, particularly in remote or densely populated areas where response times are often critical.
According to the Health Minister, the primary goal is to deploy trained personnel and resources quickly to the site of an incident to assess injuries, provide immediate care, and stabilize patients before they are transferred to a hospital. The fleet will also support field triage operations in the event of major incidents, helping determine the scale of response needed and facilitating effective coordination.
The First Responder Fleet currently consists of 28 fully equipped vehicles, strategically distributed based on criteria such as population density, service coverage, and response priority. Al-Awadhi noted that these allocations will be regularly reviewed and updated to maintain optimal operational efficiency.
Assistant Undersecretary for Medical Support Services Dr. Abdullah Al-Fars added that the vehicles are staffed by qualified emergency medical technicians and paramedics, all certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS). Each vehicle is outfitted with resuscitation equipment, oxygen supplies, advanced respirators, intravenous fluids, essential medications, and devices to stabilize fractures and monitor vital signs.
Dr. Al-Fars explained that the response process begins at the central operations room, where incoming emergency calls are assessed and the nearest First Responder vehicle is dispatched. Upon arrival, the team evaluates the situation, administers necessary care, and prepares a report for follow-up teams or hospital transfer.
Representing the Secretary-General of the General Secretariat of Awqaf, Nasser Al-Khedr emphasized the Secretariat's ongoing commitment to collaborating with government agencies on developmental projects. He acknowledged the contributions of donors who have funded such community-serving initiatives through the Endowment Fund for Health Care, which supports projects in accordance with Islamic endowment principles and donor directives.
Al-Khedr affirmed the Secretariat's readiness to continue supporting national efforts in enhancing Kuwait's healthcare services, particularly in ways that align with both modern needs and traditional values.
The First Responder project marks a significant step in Kuwait's health sector development, reinforcing the country's ability to respond effectively and swiftly to medical emergencies, while upholding the principles of community care and strategic preparedness.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab Times
6 hours ago
- Arab Times
Ahmad Al-Jarallah visits colleague Saud Al-Farhan at Al-Amiri Hospital
KUWAIT CITY, July 14: Editor-in-Chief of Arab Times and Al-Seyassah newspapers and Dean of Kuwaiti Journalism Ahmed Al-Jarallah, accompanied by retired Major General Faisal Al-Jazzaf, visited Al-Amiri Hospital to check on colleague Saud Al-Farhan, who is receiving treatment following a recent heart attack, reports Al-Seyassah daily. Al-Jarallah and Major General Al-Jazzaf inquired about Al-Farhan's health condition and wished him a full and speedy recovery
Arab Times
16 hours ago
- Arab Times
Are You Letting Your Free 15 Days of Sick Leave Go to Waste?
In Kuwait's private sector, understanding your rights and responsibilities around sick leave is essential. Governed primarily by Law No. 6 of 2010, the law outlines not only how sick leave is granted and calculated, but also what happens when it goes unused. Here's a complete guide for private-sector employees in Kuwait. No Compensation for Unused Sick Leave Employees should be aware that unused sick leave days do not carry over to the next year and cannot be encashed. If an employee doesn't use their allotted sick leave within a given year, it simply expires. There is no provision in Kuwaiti labor law to accumulate sick leave or receive financial compensation for unused days. Entitlement: 45 Days Per Year Under Article 70 of Kuwait Labor Law, private-sector employees are entitled to 45 days of sick leave per year, with a tiered salary deduction structure as follows: First 15 days: Full pay Next 10 days: 75% of salary Next 10 days: 50% of salary Next 10 days: 25% of salary Beyond 45 days: No pay This structure aligns with the model used by Kuwait's Civil Service Commission and is widely enforced across the private sector. How to Apply for Sick Leave via the Sahel App in Minutes Open your Sahel App Choose Services > Ministry of Health > Medical Sick Leave Request for Electronic Sick Leave Choose Workplace (if your workplace doesn't appear choose Others) Enter sick leave date Your Mobile No will appear Download your sick leave (Pdf format) Submit your sickleave to your company How to Apply for Sick Leave through Hospital/Clinic in the Private Sector Taking sick leave involves more than just calling in sick. Employees must follow specific procedures to ensure their leave is valid and paid: 1. Seek Medical Attention Visit an authorized Ministry of Health (MoH) hospital, clinic, or approved private facility. After evaluation, the doctor will issue a medical certificate that includes: The diagnosis (may be general) Duration of recommended rest Doctor's name and signature Official stamp of the clinic or hospital Some companies only accept sick notes issued by MoH-approved institutions, so it's crucial to confirm your employer's policy. 2. Notify Your Employer Immediately Inform your employer on the first day of illness, preferably through email or text message. Documentation is essential to prove you reported the absence promptly. 3. Submit Your Medical Certificate Send a scanned copy of the sick leave certificate to HR or your direct supervisor via official communication channels such as email. Ensure that this is completed within three working days, unless your company specifies otherwise. 4. Return to Work Promptly Once your sick leave ends, return to work on the next scheduled working day. For extended leaves, HR may require a fitness-to-work note before resuming duties. How Sick Leave Is Calculated Sick leave is counted annually (based on either the calendar year or your service year, depending on company policy). Leave is deducted sequentially from your 45-day entitlement, starting with full-pay days and moving through the graded structure. It's also important to note: Public holidays and annual leave days do not count against your sick leave balance. If you exceed the 45-day entitlement, subsequent sick days are unpaid unless otherwise approved. Examples of Sick Leave Pay Calculation Example 1: 20 Consecutive Sick Days Days 1–15: Paid at 100% Days 16–20: Paid at 75% Example 2: 50 Sick Days in One Year Days 1–15: 100% Days 16–25: 75% Days 26–35: 50% Days 36–45: 25% Days 46–50: Unpaid After Sick Leave Ends If you exceed the annual sick leave limit and continue to be absent, your employer may: Consider the excess days as unpaid leave Initiate disciplinary procedures, which could include termination For government-sector employees, the law (Law No. 18 of 1960) is more generous: 30 days with full pay 15 days with ¾ pay 15 days with ½ pay 15 days with ¼ pay 30 days with no pay In special cases, these may be doubled based on medical reports If the employee remains unfit after all leave, termination with full severance may follow Sick leave is a legal right—but also a regulated process
Arab Times
2 days ago
- Arab Times
Stricter regulations announced for dental services in private medical centers
KUWAIT CITY, July 13: The Ministry of Health, through its Health Licensing Department, has issued new regulations governing the practice of dentistry in private healthcare centers. According to details published by Al-Anbaa on July 13, 2025, the updated conditions allow the continuation of dental services only in existing licensed private medicine centers that currently include dental facilities. However, the new rules introduce stricter limitations on staffing and future licensing. Under the new guidelines, the number of dentists in each center is to be limited to three full-time practitioners or an equivalent number working outside official hours. Specifically, two part-time dentists working outside official hours will be considered equivalent to one full-time dentist. This adjustment aligns with existing regulations for private dental clinics. Additionally, the regulations require that at least one of the dentists must be a Kuwaiti national working full-time at the center. The Ministry explicitly prohibited the opening of new dental clinics or the introduction of dental services in newly established human medicine centers. The Ministry has granted centers a four-month grace period from the date of the decision to comply with the new requirements. Failure to meet the stipulated conditions within the timeframe will result in the removal of dental services from the center's operating license.
