The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Supporting Medical Services, Dr. Abdullah Al-Fares, affirmed the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to supporting continuing medical education across all specialties by hosting leading international experts and surgeons, a move aimed at developing professional skills and raising the standard of medical performance in Kuwait.

Speaking at the opening of the Fourth Annual Orthopedic Surgery Conference on Thursday, Al-Fares said the Ministry continues to invest heavily in education and training for doctors in various fields, describing this approach as a cornerstone in achieving a qualitative leap in the level of healthcare provided to citizens and residents, reports Al-Rai daily.

He revealed that the number of robotic surgeries has exceeded 200 procedures, noting that local training for doctors on this advanced technology has already begun. He also announced an increase in the number of accredited training centers for Kuwaiti Board orthopedic surgeons to five centers and departments, after previously being limited to just one. He added that future plans aim to expand robotic surgery technology across all hospitals in the country.

Al-Fares stressed that the Ministry’s support for continuing medical education includes organizing specialized workshops alongside the conference, which he described as a fundamental pillar in strengthening practical skills and transferring hands-on experience to participants.

He highlighted key achievements in orthopedic surgery, pointing out that the Orthopedic Department at Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital has received international recognition and accreditation as a distinguished center for orthopedic surgery, following a comprehensive and impartial evaluation by a specialized body in the United States.

He also announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the International Society of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology (SICOT), one of the world’s largest and most prestigious organizations in this field. The agreement will facilitate the training of Kuwaiti doctors in SICOT-accredited centers and enhance cooperation in experience exchange and joint scientific research.

For his part, Conference Chairman Dr. Awad Al-Mutairi said the three-day conference features more than 55 scientific lectures and five surgical training workshops, including one being held in Kuwait for the first time using anatomical training on human specimens in cooperation with the Faculty of Medicine at Kuwait University.

He added that a scientific competition for the best research poster is also being held, with more than 25 scientific papers submitted by local and international researchers, alongside other scientific activities. Participants will receive over 20 accredited medical training hours, in addition to benefiting from the participation of international and local medical companies in the accompanying medical exhibition.