Kuwaiti Minister of Health (MoH) Sheikh Basel Humoud Al-Sabah on Saturday underlined the importance of healthcare and patient safety as top priority in the ministry's programs and state development drive.

Speaking to KUNA on the sidelines of participating in the seventh Middle East Forum on Quality and Safety in Healthcare in Doha, Sheikh Basel Al-Sabah emphasized the ministry's eagerness to develop up-to-date patient safety programs.

This is part of the ministry's commitment to holistic health coverage and healthcare-bearing global sustainable development goals, as well as Kuwait's 2035 vision, he explained.

The Kuwaiti minister thanked the Qatari Ministry of Public Health for providing an opportunity to get familiar with the latest international developments and exchange experiences with representatives of international organizations.

Sheikh Basel Al-Sabah said he met with Qatar's Minister of Public Health Dr. Hanan Al-Kuwari, discussing ways to strengthen and develop bilateral ties, especially in terms of health.

Appreciating Al-Kuwari's hospitality, he assured that the forum, attended by experts, consultants and specialists, will be a starting point for putting healthcare quality and safety in place.

Co-organized by Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and American-based Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), the forum attracted 3,000 healthcare experts from various international institutions to discuss the latest in medical care.

The forum includes over 50 lectures and workshops, supervised by local and international experts in healthcare development.