PARIS, July 19: In a significant step toward strengthening healthcare collaboration between Kuwait and France, Kuwaiti Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on Friday with five of France’s foremost medical and health institutions. The agreements were signed in the French capital, Paris, and aim to bolster bilateral cooperation in various medical fields.

Speaking in a joint statement to KUNA and Kuwait TV, Dr. Al-Awadhi described the move as "a new start" in implementing the vision of Kuwait’s wise leadership, led by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, to deepen collaboration with top-tier French medical institutions.

He noted that the agreements mark “a new phase” in Kuwait-France health relations, with a focus on improving medical services through knowledge exchange, training initiatives, and specialized scientific research.

Highlighting the importance of the event, Dr. Al-Awadhi pointed out the presence of distinguished French doctors, experts, and academics at the signing ceremony, emphasizing that their involvement reflects the strategic nature of the partnerships and opens new horizons for practical collaboration across multiple healthcare domains.

The MoUs encompass a broad range of medical specialties, including oncology, cardiology, and organ transplantation, among others. These collaborations are expected to enhance the capabilities of Kuwait’s healthcare sector and ensure the highest quality of care for patients.

Dr. Hisham Kalander, Assistant Undersecretary for External Health Services at the Ministry of Health, stated that the MoUs lay out several core objectives aimed at elevating the standard of medical care in Kuwait. These include providing specialized consultations from international experts, enabling patients to access cutting-edge treatments without the need to travel abroad.

He further explained that the agreements will facilitate the launch of advanced training programs such as international fellowships and observation opportunities, which will enhance the expertise of national medical staff and align their skills with global standards.

The MoUs also call for the hosting of visiting doctors to promote scientific and professional exchange. In addition, the agreements include the implementation of telemedicine services, offering access to global medical expertise remotely, and improving diagnostic capabilities through the use of advanced technologies in medical imaging and sample analysis.

Dr. Kalander noted that the pacts also aim to develop Kuwait's medical referral system, ensuring patients are directed to specialized hospitals based on their needs. The agreements will also promote joint clinical research initiatives aimed at developing new therapies and improving existing treatment protocols.

Kuwaiti Ambassador to France Abdullah Al-Shaheen described the signing of the MoUs as a testament to the strong and enduring bilateral ties between Kuwait and France, particularly in vital sectors like healthcare. He affirmed that these agreements are a direct result of the recent visit by His Highness the Amir to Paris, which gave a significant boost to relations across multiple domains.

Ambassador Al-Shaheen highlighted that the partnerships represent a qualitative leap in medical cooperation, noting that the French institutions involved — Almviva Group, Curie Hospital, Foch Hospital, the Montessori Institute, and Rothschild Foundation Hospital — are internationally renowned for their excellence in both medical and academic fields.

The signing ceremony took place at the Kuwaiti Embassy in Paris, with the attendance of Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi, Ambassador Abdullah Al-Shaheen, Dr. Hisham Kalander, Head of the Kuwaiti Health Office in France Dr. Ali Al-Moussawi, and representatives of the participating French institutions.