Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KUWAIT789
2008-07-13 06:35:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:  

NEW HEALTH MINISTER: MORE HOSPITALS, FEWER MEDICAL

Tags:  ECON KU PGOV PREL 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO5631
PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHKU #0789 1950635
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 130635Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1846
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
UNCLAS KUWAIT 000789 

SIPDIS

FOR NEA/ARP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON KU PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: NEW HEALTH MINISTER: MORE HOSPITALS, FEWER MEDICAL
JUNKETS

UNCLAS KUWAIT 000789

SIPDIS

FOR NEA/ARP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON KU PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: NEW HEALTH MINISTER: MORE HOSPITALS, FEWER MEDICAL
JUNKETS


1. (U) Summary. The Ambassador and new Minister of Health
Ali Al-Barrak laid the groundwork for USG-GOK cooperation in
the healthcare sector during a very cordial meeting on July

8. The Minister highlighted the GOK's intention to build
additional hospitals, which the Ambassador noted would
benefit from cost-effective, high-quality American medical
equipment and supplies. End Summary.


2. (U) During an extremely relaxed July introductory call
with the Ambassador, the new Minister of Health, Ali Mohammed
Al-Barrak, made clear his intent to engage with U.S.
companies in the healthcare sector.


3. (U) Just as many other newly-appointed ministers, given
the transitional nature of recent GOK governments, Al-Barrak
was tentative about his long-term plans, though he did
emphasize the GOK's intention to expand the number of
hospital beds in Kuwait, including building new medical
facilities. (Note: The Amir recently stated an objective of
200-240 new hospital beds. End Note.) The Ambassador
reminded the Minister of the relative advantage of
high-quality American medical equipment and supplies, since
current exchange rates render American products highly
cost-effective. Noting the high number of visa requests
received by the Embassy in connection with medical travel,
the Ambassador remarked that higher levels of quality of
healthcare in Kuwaiti hospitals would permit the Ministry of
Health to reduce the number of patient referrals to overseas
hospitals, with accompanying higher administrative costs.
(Note: Al-Barrack has been criticized recently for his
reported "independent vetting" of eligibility for overseas
medical travel. The GOK pays all expenses for what has
become, in the view of many, medical junkets to the U.S. and
Europe. End Note.)


4. (U) The Ambassador also took this opportunity to
acknowledge and praise the professional and transparent
support of two ministry officials who have provided valuable
assistance to the Embassy's Commercial Section,
UnderSecretary Dr. Essa Khalifa and Director of Quality
Control Omar Al-Sayed Omar. (Note: To distinguish them from
the unfortunately often corrupt practices of others in the
Ministry. End Note.)


5. (U) The Minister and Ambassador also discussed the
challenges of diabetes, obesity and related conditions facing
both Kuwait and the United States, as well as surprisingly
China (according to a recent BBC report). The Ambassador
mentioned the recent visits by teams from Johns Hopkins
University and Harvard University to the GOK's Dasman Center
for Research and Treatment of Diabetes; the Minister was
familiar with these visits and welcomed further such
cooperation. (Note: Post understands that the well-funded,
but under-utilized Dasman Center has recently entered into a
partnership agreement with Harvard Medical School's Forsyth
Institute. End Note.)


6. (SBU) Comment: Significant commercial opportunities
exist for U.S. companies in Kuwait's healthcare sector,
particularly in the areas of health maintenance and diabetes.
We will encourage U.S. companies to capitalize on the
Minister's desire, at the reported bequest of the Amir, to
expand healthcare at home. End Comment.


7. (SBU) Biographical notes: Minister Al-Barrak graduated
from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI in the late
1970's and harbors warm feelings towards the U.S. The
Minister, who previously served as UnderSecretary in the
Ministry of Education, told the Ambassador that he had been
tapped to run the ministry for his managerial, not technical
skills (his predecessor, Maasouma Saleh Al-Mubarak, resigned
in the wake of intense criticism from Kuwaiti MPs following a
fire at Jahra Hospital). The Minister, who speaks excellent
English, has four children, two daughters (one a lawyer, one
an engineer) and two sons, whom he intends to send to the
U.S. for college.

********************************************* *
For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/?cable s

Visit Kuwait's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/
********************************************* *
JONES