KUWAIT CITY, Jan 1: Dr. Ahmed Al Shatti, Director of the Medical Emergency Department at the Ministry of Health, reported the first fatality in 2024 as a result of a collision with an all-terrain vehicle (buggy).

He explained that the department received 159 calls within the first 12 hours of 2024. These included four instances of fighting, two suicide attempts involving jumping from high buildings, 2 cases of poisoning due to drug overdose, and two incidents of burns. The Control Room of the Medical Emergency Department referred all these cases to various hospitals, of which 11 cases were referred to Farwaniya Hospital, ten to Jahra Hospital, nine each to Adan Hospital and Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital, four each to Jaber Hospital and Al-Sabah Hospital, eight cases to Amiri Hospital, in addition to other hospitals and clinics.

Dr. Al-Shatti affirmed that accidents are still occurring in the desert camping areas due to lack of respect for the relevant instructions and regulations, indicating that the first few hours of the new year witnessed clear misuse of buggies, electricity generators, and other equipment.

He emphasized that the department aims to promote a safety culture by issuing warnings and emphasizing the consequences of neglecting them.

Dr. Al-Shatti reiterated the importance of avoiding high-pressure areas, refraining from driving buggies on driveways and highways, and ensuring that kitchens and electricity generators are away from the areas intended for gathering and sitting.

Additionally, he stressed the importance of not using coal stoves in enclosed spaces to prevent suffocation from carbon monoxide gas or combustion.

In another development, Dr. Ahmed Al-Shatti announced the launch of the paperless system (digital simulation) from the midnight of January 1, 2024, indicating that reports will be received through a local electronic program designed for this purpose.

Dr. Al-Shatti expressed appreciation for the efforts of the designers, implementers, and followers of the program.

He highlighted that the activation of the first phase would be succeeded by additional phases in the current year.

Emphasizing the system's importance in tracking cumulative numbers and managing cases transparently, Dr. Al-Shatti noted its role in benefiting patients and enhancing the development of the health services that are provided.

By Marwa Al-Bahrawi
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff