Dasman Diabetes Institute recognized as GCC reference center

Dasman Diabetes Institute (DDI), an affiliate of Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), celebrated its official recognition by the Executive Board of the Health Ministers'''' Council for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, as a regional center of excellence and reference for diabetes mellitus. The celebration, held under auspice of Minister of Health Dr. Ali Al-Obaidi Monday, gathered representative of the minister and Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry for Public Health Dr. Qais Al-Duwairi, Director General of the Executive Board of the GCC Health Ministers'''' Council Dr. Tawfik Khoja, and DDI Director General Dr. Kadhem Behbehani. Addressing the ceremony, Behbehani hailed the GCC accreditation of the center as "a big achievement, not only for Kuwait, but for the entire gulf region. "The center works constantly to offer the best possible healthcare for diabetics not only at the local level but at the regional and international levels as well," he said. "Today''''s recognition is added to the international achievements recently won by the DDI due to its various projects to promote medical researches and improve healthcare in Kuwait," Dr. Behbehani added. He recalled DDI cited as example of global recognition the accords signed with Canadian US and European health institutions as well as the World Health Organization. On his part, Al-Duwairi, also member of the Executive Board of the GCC Health Ministers'''' Council, lauded the role of the DDI in combating the spread of diabetes and other diseases in Kuwait. "The Ministry of Health works with the DDI in developing medical researches and building the capacity of medical personnel countrywide," he added. Meanwhile, Khoja, who came from Saudi Arabia to attend the ceremony, said the DDI long experience in combating diabetes is helpful for other similar institutes in the region. He recommended increasing the sharing of experience among the regional and international health institutions in all technical, scientific and administrative domains. The recognition of the DDI as a regional center is the fruit of a visit paid to it by a team from the Executive Board of the GCC Health Ministers'''' Counci for three days in last July to assess its services