Thamer Arab, CEO, Dhaman: Interview

Interview: Thamer Arab

Where do you see opportunities to deepen private participation in health care provision?

THAMER ARAB: The integration of private health care providers into Kuwait’s health care system is still in its early phases, but it is progressing satisfactorily, and so far, the experience has been positive. We expect that the country’s private health operators will have significant room to grow and help the local sector develop further by investing in and boosting health care efficiencies. Additionally, the increased competition from allowing more players to operate in the market would improve quality and reduce waiting lists for specific treatments.

Similarly, greater private sector participation in health care provision is beneficial, both in terms of quantity and quality. That being said, it is crucial to establish international partnerships and affiliations to bring global best practices to the industry along with experience and knowledge, which can then be transferred to local health care professionals.

We experienced a shortage of knowledge and human capital in recent years due to the unprecedented disruptions from Covid-19. This clearly illustrated the system’s limitations, and we must now incorporate lessons learned and take action to prepare for future health challenges. On the plus side, we anticipate that younger generations of Kuwaitis will gravitate towards careers in science and medicine. As such, private sector entities have a responsibility, in collaboration with the government and education stakeholders, to provide the necessary resources for students to acquire the medical skills and capabilities that the health sector of the future will require. This, in turn, will raise quality standards in the health care industry.

What medical specialisations do you see as primary growth drivers in the short to medium term?

ARAB: The field of pain management offers numerous prospects for innovative treatments which can support patients with remarkable precision and without requiring surgery. Since the dangers associated with medical procedures are minimised and the recovery period is shortened, we expect that these interventions will have a positive effect on patients’ treatment experiences and overall quality of life. Furthermore, the psychological impact of this kind of pain-management therapy is virtually non-existent, and health insurance companies pay substantially less overall.

On another note, chronic disease will continue to be a concern in this region. For instance, there will be a greater focus on treating hypertension and diabetes, which can develop in part due to negative dietary and lifestyle choices. However, individuals today are becoming more conscious of the importance of making healthier decisions and exercising regularly, in part because of the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, there will be additional investment opportunities in the preventive care market.

How has the digitisation of medical records affected and advanced the health care industry, and how will this support future growth?

ARAB: The introduction of electronic medical records (EMR) has created opportunities for interoperability, allowing for health information exchange between providers to improve the continuity of care for the population. An EMR system improves the efficiency of every step of a patient’s visit to a hospital or clinic. Since all processes are electronically integrated, individual treatment is tailored to each patient. In the future, we expect further developments in therapy customisation, possibly incorporating genetic data; the EMR will become increasingly important in this regard.

Kuwait has started implementing EMRs which account for the specific characteristics of our population. This is important because once sufficient data is gathered, we will be able to predict and anticipate possible medical issues and risks in patients, improving effectiveness and efficiency across the entire sector.