KUWAIT CITY, Nov 10: Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi on Monday affirmed that the third expansion of the National Bank of Kuwait Specialized Children’s Hospital represents a distinguished example of cooperation between the public and private sectors in advancing specialized healthcare services.

Dr. Al-Awadhi made the remarks during the groundbreaking ceremony for the hospital’s expansion in the Sabah Medical Area, attended by the Ministry’s undersecretary, representatives of the National Bank of Kuwait Group, and several medical specialists. He described the bank’s contribution as a continuation of the tradition of charitable support and solidarity between state institutions and the private sector.

“The new expansion is being constructed according to international standards and will feature five floors, 66 intensive care beds, private rooms, emergency facilities, laboratories, and a child-friendly environment that addresses both psychological and health needs,” Dr. Al-Awadhi said. He noted that the design also considers environmental and humanitarian aspects, aiming to set a benchmark for modern children’s hospitals, and emphasized that the project will significantly enhance services for treating blood diseases, cancer, and stem cell transplants for children.

Isam Al-Sager, CEO of the National Bank of Kuwait Group, highlighted the bank’s longstanding collaboration with the Ministry, which began in 1996 with the construction of Building A for blood diseases and childhood cancer treatment, followed by Building B dedicated to stem cell therapy. He said the new expansion spans 8,000 square meters on a total built-up area of 22,000 square meters across five floors, meeting the latest international medical standards. The building’s design received an international award from the University of Michigan for its environmental and psychological suitability for children.

Al-Sager added that the bank remains committed to supporting healthcare and humanitarian projects in Kuwait and praised the efforts of engineers from both the Ministry and the bank in realizing the project to meet the growing treatment demands of children.

Dr. Sundus Al-Sharida, Head of the Hematology, Pediatric Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplantation Department at the hospital, said the department diagnoses more than 100 new childhood tumor cases annually, including 50–60 cases of leukemia, with total annual follow-ups ranging from 160 to 180 cases. She noted the hospital has become a leading center in the region for stem cell transplantation, performing around 80 transplants to date, with 10 ongoing cases and a success rate of approximately 97 percent, among the highest regionally.

Dr. Al-Sharida added that the department employs 42 specialized physicians and treats roughly 2,500 cases annually in its day-care unit, which operates around the clock to provide treatments including blood, platelet, and plasma transfusions, antibiotics, and modern chemotherapy, totaling over 11,000 treatment sessions per year. She said the hospital is globally accredited and registered as a reference center for hematological and childhood cancer treatments. The medical team is scheduled to participate in the World Congress of Hematology in the United States next December to present a scientific paper on Mofet Therapy for stem cell transplantation complications.

The Minister of Health, with the medical and administrative staff at the National Bank of Kuwait Specialized Children's Hospital.