KUWAIT: The head of the medical emergency administration at the Ministry of Health Dr Ahmad Al-Shatti stated that 160,000 emergency medical cases were recorded during 2022. He also informed that 270 new ambulance vehicles would be added to their fleet.

"The Emergency Medical Department dealt with 160,000 cases during 2022 of which 125,000 were transferred to hospitals, including 87,000 urgent cases and 38,000 non-emergency cases, in addition to dealing with 9,000 road accident cases during the year 2022, including deaths and injuries as well as multiple disabilities," Al-Shatti clarified.

"Despite many repeated warnings, deaths were reported due to suffocation in deserts during camping season due to smoke inhalation from charcoal burning in closed places.  These disasters can be prevented," he said.

He stated that the total number of paramedics working in the Al-Sabah Medical District reached 256 employees in six ambulance centers in the region. About the addition of the new ambulance vehicles, he said: "The specifications and applications for these vehicles have been completed and the administrative procedures have been initiated."

"These numbers represent about 30 to 50 percent increase in the current ambulance fleet. We are in the stage of preparing air ambulance and air evacuation contracts, as the extension of the air ambulance contract is subject to evaluation towards development. The MoH is also looking forward to the entry of qualified paramedics into the labor market to keep pace with the increasing demand and expansion of new ambulance centers," he added.

Al-Shatti concluded by congratulating the heroes of medical emergencies, explaining that this honor is a motivation, encouragement, and a call for achievements. This will also send evaluation and planning reports, noting that a number of emergency medical technicians dealt with more than 300 cases during the past year, which is considered a qualitative distinction when it comes to dealing with emergency cases.