KUWAIT CITY, Sept 18: The Embassy of the Kingdom of Thailand in Kuwait organized an event titled “Rediscovering Health and Wellness Tourism in Thailand,” bringing together representatives of leading hospitals in Thailand and Kuwait to strengthen cooperation in the field of health and wellness tourism.

Thai Chargé d’Affaires to Kuwait, Uraiwan Courtaud, said, “The event aims to explore the future and further strengthen ties between Thailand and Kuwait. Together, Thailand and Kuwait can establish a more streamlined referral system that ensures Kuwaiti patients receive world-class care and enjoy certain benefits. We can also enhance the exchange of medical personnel and joint training to facilitate professional development on both sides. We are confident that this can pave the way for a long-term and strong cooperation that also supports the goals of Kuwait Vision 2035, particularly the transformation of Kuwait into a private sector-led economy.”

Courtaud added, “This meeting between representatives of leading Thai private hospitals and their Kuwaiti counterparts aims to explore ways of cooperation and expand treatment options available to citizens seeking healthcare abroad.” She affirmed that her country is widely known for its advanced medical expertise, with centers of excellence in various medical specializations, making it a preferred treatment destination for patients from Kuwait and the region. She said the goal of this visit is to establish an integrated referral system between the two sides, giving Kuwaiti patients more options when considering traveling to Thailand for treatment.

Regarding coordination with the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health, she stated that the move is in line with the new healthcare policies, confirming their readiness to institutionally cooperate with official authorities in Kuwait as soon as the opportunity arises. She continued, “Thailand has long been known for its global leadership in medical and wellness tourism.”

She indicated that her country catered to more than 3.5 million international patients annually before the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than 62 hospitals accredited by the Joint Commission International, putting Thailand among the top global destinations for healthcare services.

Meanwhile, Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Rasheed, representative of the assistant undersecretary for External Affairs at the Ministry of Health, expressed his happiness over participating in the meeting organized by the Thai Embassy to introduce the private hospitals in Thailand. He stressed “we are happy to participate and to encourage everyone to do what is necessary towards the advancement of the country’s healthcare sector, and provide the best medical services to citizens and all those residing in Kuwait.” Asked whether there are agreements between the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health and its Thai counterpart on treatment abroad, Al-Rashid disclosed “we are in the process of preparing memoranda of understanding with Thai authorities and develop them into health agreements between us. Thailand is known for medical tourism, not only in Kuwait and the Gulf, but also in the United States of America, Britain, and Europe.” Al-Rashid denied sending any Kuwaiti patients for treatment in Thailand, asserting that all these patients travel at their own expense.

By Fares Ghaleb
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff