Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadhi, Kuwait’s Minister of Health, emphasized the country’s commitment to staying at the forefront of scientific and technological advancements in cancer care, particularly in the fields of diagnosis and treatment. This was made clear in his speech at the opening of the Regional Conference on Medical Physics in the Middle East, which was held under the theme “Promoting Acceleration in Radiomedicine.”
The event, hosted by the Kuwait Cancer Control Center in collaboration with the Middle East Federation of Organizations of Medical Physics, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the Kuwait Women’s Health Association, brought together over 50 international experts to discuss the latest developments in the field.
Building National Capacity for Advanced Healthcare
Dr. Al-Awadhi noted that the Ministry of Health’s primary focus is on strengthening the nation’s human capacity by training professionals in cutting-edge technologies to improve the quality of healthcare services. The ministry is particularly committed to integrating these advancements into the treatment of cancer patients, as this plays a crucial role in enhancing care and outcomes.
Leading the Region in Cancer Care
Highlighting the Kuwait Cancer Control Center’s leadership in the region, Dr. Al-Awadhi stated that the center is home to over 600 medical and technical specialists. He also announced that the center is on the verge of opening a new facility that will be equipped with state-of-the-art technologies like Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and Positron Emission Tomography (PET). These advancements will enhance the center’s ability to provide comprehensive, high-quality cancer care.
The Role of Medical Physicists in Treatment Precision
Radiation therapy, a key treatment for various types of cancer, is highlighted as an essential part of the new facility’s offerings. Dr. Al-Awadhi emphasized the importance of an integrated team, including oncologists, medical physicists, and radiotherapy technicians, in ensuring accurate and safe treatment. Medical physicists play a crucial role in optimizing radiation therapy and medical imaging devices by ensuring precise tumor targeting, determining the exact location and dimensions of tumors, and minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. This precision improves the effectiveness of treatments and ultimately enhances patient outcomes.
Conference Focus on Technological Innovation
Dr. Meshari Al-Nuaimi, President of the Middle East Federation of Organizations of Medical Physics (MEFOMP) and Head of the Department of Radiological Physics at the Kuwait Cancer Control Center, shared that the conference reflects ongoing progress in integrating advanced, intelligent systems to improve patient care. The theme of the conference highlights the ongoing efforts to make radiology safer, more effective, and more precise in treating patients across the Middle East and beyond.
Dr. Al-Nuaimi also pointed out the inclusion of sessions focusing on innovations in medical imaging, X-ray therapy, radiation dose management, and machine learning applications, alongside a focus on promoting women’s health through radiology.
Global Collaboration for Pioneering Cancer Treatment
The conference featured over 65 lectures from international experts on topics such as artificial intelligence, medical imaging automation, and dosimetry audits in radiotherapy. Workshops on these subjects provided a platform for collaboration, with the aim of advancing the field of radiology and enhancing the quality of cancer treatment worldwide.
In his speech, Dr. Iman Al-Tawhid, a Consultant in Gynecology at the Kuwait Cancer Control Center and President of the Kuwait Women’s Health Association, expressed her pride in the role of medical physicists in ensuring safe and accurate patient treatments. This partnership among experts from diverse fields is key to the success of the medical community in delivering world-class care.
