Dr Al-Jarallah at INCTR’s Annual Meeting.

Kuwait occupies an unusual position among the majority of its INCTR colleague nations, in that Kuwait has a strong national cancer control program in place. Dr Mohammad Ahmad Al-Jarallah, Kuwait’s Minister of Public Health, oversees programs supporting cancer prevention, early detection and treatment, as well as an intricate network of primary health centers, secondary health centers, and specialized health centers. Since 1999, he has served as President of the Kuwait National Cancer Control Program, which has at its disposal a modern and comprehensive cancer center.

One of the largest ministries in Kuwait, the Ministry of Public Health was established in 1936, 24 years after the Kuwaiti government first developed medical services for its citizens. The healthcare network in Kuwait is the best in the Gulf region, and among the finest in the world. Kuwaitis may receive medical services at government clinics and hospitals free of charge, or seek medical care at any number of private clinics and hospitals.

Dr Al-Jarallah, who also helps guide the World Health Organization, has served as Minister of Public Health since 1999. Trained as a general surgeon, he began his surgical career at Al-Sabah Hospital in Kuwait in 1981, advancing to Senior Registrar for the surgical department over the next seven years. He specialized in cancer surgery and microsurgery, using advanced laparoscopic techniques and endoscopic ultrasound. Among the many applications for his skills is gastrointestinal surgery for the treatment of morbid obesity. In 1989-90, Al-Jarallah was invited to head the surgical department at the Armed Forces Hospital and a year later, during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, was named chairman of the Hospital Committee there. At the same time, he was serving as director of Al-Sabah Hospital & Specialized Centers. The government of Kuwait and the local authorities of Dahia Province both honored him for distinguished medical service and civic leadership rendered during the period of Iraqi invasion and occupation of that country.

In 1991, Dr Al-Jarallah turned his attention to cancer treatment and research, chairing the department of surgical oncology and serving as director of the Kuwait Cancer Control Center. Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in Kuwait, and is on the rise as lifestyle and diets become Westernized. In response, Al-Jarallah noted, the Ministry has established a comprehensive breast cancer screening program and is undertaking a three-pronged approach to combating cancer: education through the media against the use of tobacco and poor food choices; promoting environmental protection; and treatment of infections which may lead to cancer.

“There are many common infections which can lead to cancer,” Al-Jarallah remarked. “The Kuwaiti government is relatively generous with its health care, and offers its citizens vaccinations, health education and screening programs free of charge.”

Al-Jarallah also noted two recent initiatives related to cancer treatment; an active genetics research center on the one hand, and a series of hospices for the supportive care of terminal patients on the other. As one of 32 members serving on the Board of WHO, Dr Al-Jarallah is particularly aware of the importance of international collaboration among oncology professionals conducting research, and has been instrumental in developing cancer registration in the Arab world. His center for genetics research is one of the most active in the world, collaborating with several organizations, including WHO Cancer Unit, ICC, the Arab League, and the Lyon Cancer Center.

“The challenge is always finding the necessary funding,” Al-Jarallah says,” given the acceleration in the cost of new medical approaches, including new chemotherapy drugs, and modern high-tech medicine. We are working to increase the budget through an insurance system in which everyone should participate. No government alone could cope with this rapid increase in expenses for treatment of any disease. The idea is that each person contributes to his health care budget throughout his entire life, and when he is in need of medical care, he will have it.”