Latest news with #Al-Humaidan
Kuwait Times
18 hours ago
- Health
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait, WHO launch research partnership to combat drug resistance
KUWAIT: Kuwait is taking steps to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a growing global health threat, through a strategic research partnership between the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), the Ministry of Health, and the World Health Organization (WHO). A preparatory meeting was held on Tuesday to set the stage for a series of collaborative scientific and technical initiatives aimed at enhancing public health research and policy coordination under the 'One Health' approach, which considers human, animal, and environmental health as interlinked. The meeting brought together key stakeholders from across Kuwait's scientific and health institutions, marking the first step in implementing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed earlier this year between KISR and WHO. The MoU, finalized in January 2025, focuses on strengthening national research capacity to tackle complex public health issues, particularly communicable diseases (such as diabetes and obesity), environmental pollution, pandemic preparedness, and AMR. Dr Faisal Al-Humaidan, Acting Director General of KISR, highlighted the urgency of addressing AMR and praised the collaborative framework being established through this partnership. 'The spread of antimicrobial resistance poses a serious risk to the quality of life, the effectiveness of healthcare services, and the financial sustainability of national resources,' he told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA). 'This cooperation will contribute to translating research findings into scientifically based policies that can improve the health situation in the country.' Dr Al-Humaidan also acknowledged the Ministry of Health's strong engagement in the initiative, particularly the contributions of Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Affairs, Dr Al-Munther Al-Hasawi, and the Antimicrobial Resistance Unit at the Kuwait Center for Disease Prevention and Control. Their involvement, he said, underscores the national commitment to proactively address AMR as a priority health issue. Also speaking at the meeting, Dr Abdullah Al-Enezi, Acting Executive Director of the Environment and Life Sciences Research Center at KISR, described AMR as one of the most pressing health challenges facing Kuwait and the region. 'The ability to confront AMR depends on building a strong scientific knowledge base and using it to develop and implement sound public health strategies,' he said. Dr. Al-Enezi also noted the important role played by national institutions such as the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences, which has provided continued support for research in this field. Representing the WHO, Dr Assad Hafeez emphasized the significance of integrating local and international efforts to tackle AMR through the One Health approach. 'This successful cooperation between national and international institutions is a practical step toward building a comprehensive national system to confront antimicrobial resistance,' he said in a press release. 'WHO is fully committed to supporting Kuwait in turning this vision into reality by translating scientific findings into concrete, effective policies and practices.' The meeting included representatives from several prominent Kuwaiti entities involved in health, research, and environmental management, including Kuwait University's Faculty of Medicine, the Environment Public Authority, the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition, and the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources. Participants discussed initial frameworks for cooperation, identified priority research areas, and explored pathways for translating scientific outputs into actionable health policies. The initiative aligns with global efforts to curb the spread of resistant pathogens, which are increasingly undermining the effectiveness of antibiotics and other antimicrobial treatments. According to health experts, failure to act now could result in a future where common infections become harder — and in some cases impossible — to treat, leading to longer illnesses, more hospitalizations, and higher mortality rates. — Agencies
Arab Times
a day ago
- Health
- Arab Times
Kuwait moves to strengthen public health research infrastructure
KUWAIT CITY, June 24: In a move to strengthen Kuwait's public health research infrastructure, the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) held a preliminary meeting on Tuesday with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The discussion focused on enhancing collaborative research in key public health areas, particularly antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and its growing impact on humans, animals, and the environment. KISR's Acting Director General, Faisal Al-Humaidan, emphasized the significance of scientific and technical cooperation among the three entities in addressing AMR under the 'One Health' approach — a globally endorsed framework that recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. 'This meeting serves to activate the memorandum of understanding signed earlier this year between KISR and WHO,' Al-Humaidan said in a press statement. 'The MoU outlines collaborative efforts to advance research in several critical areas, including non-communicable diseases like diabetes and obesity, environmental pollution, epidemic preparedness, and antimicrobial resistance — all of which directly affect public health outcomes, service delivery, and the sustainability of national financial resources.' Dr. Abdullah Al-Enezi, Acting Executive Director of KISR's Environment and Life Sciences Research Center, described AMR as a national health priority. He called for expanding the country's scientific knowledge base to develop evidence-driven policies to confront this pressing issue. Al-Enezi also acknowledged the support of the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) and other relevant national entities in promoting research-led solutions. Representing the WHO, Dr. Asaad Hafeez commended the collaborative efforts between the international organization, KISR, and Kuwait's health authorities. He underlined the importance of these partnerships in establishing a robust national response to AMR aligned with the 'One Health' strategy. Dr. Hafeez further revealed that the WHO is working toward establishing a research cooperation center at KISR. This proposed center would facilitate the exchange of scientific expertise and help formulate comprehensive national strategies to mitigate the risks associated with antimicrobial resistance. He reaffirmed WHO's full commitment to supporting Kuwait in transforming this integrated approach into actionable policies and impactful health practices.
Arab Times
30-01-2025
- Science
- Arab Times
Developing students' research skills key to shaping future generations
KUWAIT CITY, Jan 30: The Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) emphasized the importance of developing students' scientific research skills and fostering a culture of innovation as key investments in shaping future generations. The institute stated that enhancing research capabilities among young people aligns with Kuwait's vision for a new phase of sustainable development. This statement was made by Dr. Faisal Al-Humaidan, Acting Director General of KISR, during his speech at the conclusion of the 36th Spring Student Training Course, organized by the institute's Manpower Development Department. The two-week course, which saw the participation of 39 male and female students from the intermediate school level, aimed to enhance scientific and research skills. Dr. Al-Humaidan explained that the course provided students with the opportunity to utilize their spring break to develop their research and investigative abilities while stimulating their scientific thinking. He praised the active participation shown by the students, stressing that KISR has been organizing such training programs annually for over 36 years to nurture scientific research and innovation. Mona Al-Fulaijawi, Director of the Manpower Development Department, also addressed the participants, highlighting that the course included various interactive activities and laboratory experiments designed to encourage critical and creative thinking. She further noted that the practical programs provided a valuable opportunity for the students to connect theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience, refining their scientific skills and inspiring them to engage in independent exploration and learning.
