TREATMENT ABROUD BY Dr. ADNAN ABEL Associate professor Faculty of Medicine Kuwait University

OUT LINE Western perspective Abroad treatment history of Kuwait Analytical view of 2008 Recommendation Kuwait constitution

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

WESTERN PRESPICTIVE The increasing costs of Medicare. Countries promoting health tourism. The growth of so-called “5-star hospitals”. Increasingly mobile patients.

The Increasing cost of medical care CountryKnee Surgery cost U.S & U.K.$20,000 Thailand$6,000 India$7,000 Kuwait$12,000

ABROAD TREATMENT HISTORY OF KUWAIT

Convalescence Cancer Cardiovascular Private

1992-present Individuals Expense: ◦ Middle class ◦ Dental care ◦ Plastic surgery ◦ Upper class  U.S. & U.K.

1992-present Government ◦ Ministry of health ◦ Ministry of interior ◦ Ministry of Defense ◦ K.O.C. ◦ National guard

Process for Abroad Treatment Director of treatment abroadUndersecretaryHospital Manager Committee: treating doctor, 2 consultants, and head of department Patient No V

ANALYTICAL VIEW OF 2008

Overview About 2686 patients To more than 17 countries Most to Europe No clear/specific criteria of selection All conditions may send abroad

Referred Countries

Diagnosis Demographics

Patients Demographics (Age), 2008

Duration of Stay

Patient Accompany Demographics

Who Should Go….?!! DIAGNOSIS COUNTR Y STAY PER DAY Chronic SinusitisUK63 PsoriasisEgypt50 Recurrent PancreatitisFrance178

Who Should Go….?!! DIAGNOSIS COUNTRY STAY PER DAY Small finger swellingUK?? Chronic Lower back painUK30 Micro-opthalamus Left Eye USA72

Who Should Go….?!! DIAGNOSIS COUNTR Y STAY PER DAY Evisceration of the eye USA53 Cardiac DiagnosisUK28 Hypo-Plastic ThumbUSA34

Reasons for Abroad Treatment Political Ailing medical system Patients perspective of the medical system

Patients perspective of the medical sector Lack of trust ◦ Media ◦ Members of the Parliament ◦ V.I.P’s ◦ Diwnaya

Patients perspective of the medical sector Long waiting time Lack of communication Not Patient focused

Real Reasons?

Other Causes Aging population Technology Specialization Philosophy (care at any cost)

RECOMMENDATION

Recommendation Health reform Treatment abroad department: ◦ Vision ◦ Mission ◦ Strategy

NUNBER 1 ENEMY for Implementing a Strategy is Culture (people)

Recommendation (continued) Transparency Code for illnesses sent abroad Clinical auditing: ◦ Lung transplant:  6 patients from

Recommendation (continued) Partnership with other top healthcare providers Telemedicine Medical robot

Constitution of Kuwait