KUWAIT CITY, May 28: The Ministry of Health’s Public Health Department inaugurated on Tuesday the fourth clinic under the "Tatman"  initiative for voluntary testing and counseling, located at the new Farwaniya Hospital. The launch aligns with the ministry’s ongoing efforts to strengthen preventive healthcare, enhance service quality, and broaden access to medical care, following a people-centered approach.

Dr. Fahad Al-Ghamlas, Director of the Public Health Department, stated in a press release that the opening marks a continuation of the Ministry’s strategic plan to expand public health services. The goal, he said, is to facilitate easier access to preventive care and health counseling for both citizens and residents.

He explained that the "Tatman" initiative also encompasses support for travel health clinics, food handler testing centers, and various other preventive services, all aimed at promoting a more health-conscious and resilient society.

The newly launched clinic will offer rapid testing services for several infectious diseases, including HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. Dr. Al-Ghamlas emphasized that these tests are conducted in a setting that upholds the highest standards of privacy and confidentiality, with some results available within minutes. Individuals with positive test outcomes are promptly referred for confirmatory testing and appropriate follow-up care.

In addition, the clinic provides preventive vaccinations for priority groups, supporting the Ministry's public health objective to boost community immunity and reduce disease transmission—an approach aligned with international best practices in public health.

The opening ceremony was attended by Dr. Muhammad Al-Rashidi, Director of the Farwaniya Health District; Dr. Ali Al-Mutairi, Director of Farwaniya Hospital; Dr. Ahmed Al-Mutairi, Head of Public Health Services in the district; along with several public health officials and laboratory representatives.

The Ministry of Health previously established similar clinics at the Fahaheel Health Center, Jahra Hospital 2 (Communicable Diseases Hospital), and within the Public Health Department at the Sabah Specialized Medical District, as part of the ongoing rollout of the “Tatman” initiative.