KUWAIT: Al-Omooma Hospital, officially launched yesterday, is the latest addition to the country's growing number of private hospitals. The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of the Minister of Health Dr Hilal Al-Sayer , and was attended by officials from the Ministry, ambassadors, and businessmen.

Located in Al-Riggae, Al-Omooma Hospital provides medical care and services to mothers and children, "The Ministry of Health is keen to support the private sector by providing all the facilities. We believe that the private sector plays an active role in improving medical services and releasing the pressure from the public sector," said Dr Hilal Al-Sayer.

The private sector, especially in the field of healthcare, has been experiencing a boom, "The number of operating hospitals have increased to 14 hospitals. Also, the number of medical centers have risen to 68 in number. These institutions provide high-standard medical services," added Al-Sayer.

According to Al-Sayer, Al-Omooma Hospital is strategically located, along the Fourth Ring Road, "It is built on an area that covers 6,000 square meters. It has a bed-capacity of 58 and different specialties are available. Gynecology and Obstetrics department, the Pediatric and Neo-natal department, a laboratory, Radiology department, a pharmacy, General Surgery Division, Anesthesia and Pain Management, Intensive Care Unit, and outpatient clinics. Also, the hospital offers emergency services. In the future , plastic surgery and general surgery departments will also open," concluded Al-Sayer.

Al-Omooma Hospital was established to serve patients and not exploit them, "We take care of the mother and her child in a special way with the help of our qualified staff, using the latest technology in the medical industry. For instance, our Medical Director Dr Giovanna Marcini has a 30-years of medical experience from the Carolinska University in Sweden," stated Alia Al-Khalid, Director General of Al-Omooma Hospital.

To increase medical awareness, the Hospital has also established the Omooma Fund (maternity fund), "The main purpose of this Fund is to help the low-income patients who can't afford all the financial expenses of medical services. This Fund has commenced operations from today. I thank all those who have participated in this great project," concluded Al-Khalid.

MP Salwa Al-Jassar also attended this ceremony and expressed her appreciation, "This hospital is an excellent addition to the existing number of private hospitals, definitely supporting the public sector," she noted.

Al-Jassar also spoke about some health concerns, "The health committee in the Parliament is still studying the idea of setting up a medical authority, which will play a main role in controlling and evaluating medical services in Kuwait. It will consist of seven departments. The committee is also discussing the draft law of health insurance," she pointed out. - Kuwait Times