Kuwait & John Hopkins Alliance

 I read the other day in the news paper about Kuwait signing an agreement with John Hospital Medical University and Hospital in order to improve the conditions of Kuwait's health care system. It said that officials from the Medical University and Hospital will take over in the management aspect of the four main public hospitals in Kuwait. They'll also aid in laboratories and teaching new and more efficient ways to care for patients.

On Jan 28, 2010, Dr. Helal Al Sayer, The Minister of health for the State of Kuwait released this news. The officials from The John Hopkins Medical University and Hospital will be visiting Kuwait to assess the hospitals. Al Adan, Al Amiri, Al Farwaniya, and Al Jahra hospitals will all be managed by John Hopkins.

This is a great and much needed step for Kuwait. The country is capable of having the best health care in the world because of its enormous wealth, but its lacking in proper management and supervision. The new health minister has taken this opportunity to benefit the Kuwaiti health care system. Unfortunately I don't see the media is focusing on this achievement. The news paper had a few words about what was going to happen, and many people haven't even heard about this.

News papers seldom show the true and important matters revolving around a country. There is much talk about minor things, and the beneficial topics are ignored. Many people condemn tabloids and gossip magazines, but when thinking of it, are news papers any different? All I see on the front page is this MP said this, and the other said that. John Hopkins is known world wide to be one of the best hospitals in the world, for both medical care and education, but we don't see that being stated in the paper. It's sad that we have the privilege to have them help in the improving our hospitals, yet credit is not being given where it is due. 

Although we'd like to hear more good news, hearing and speaking about the flaws we have is a step towards improvement. No matter how harsh the story, in the end, all we'll think about is, how can we fix it? After all the negative articles and talk about the Kuwaiti health system, we have seen change. People are doing their jobs, and working to create a difference. Constructive criticism is how I see it.

Personally, I believe this is a wonderful achievement. Kuwait has needed this for a long time, and finally is doing it in the correct way. This leap shows Kuwait's realization of the deteriorating state of the health care system, and its need to improve.  The experience and knowledge that will be gained will help Kuwait on a large scale. The goal to start this project will be mid 2010, and will hopefully be successful.