Kuwait Medical Students Debate Future of Health Sector

From http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=MTEyMzc1NzE2Nw==

Medical students hold debate on privatizing health sector in Kuwait
Published Date: July 05, 2008

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt: Students of the Faculty of Medicine at Kuwait University yesterday held a debate between supporters and contesters of the privatization of the health care sector in Kuwait. The debate, which was held on the sidelines of the annual International Conference for the Management of Medical Care under the title (Privatization of the Medical Sector-a Strategic Vision for the year 2025), received admiration from participants at the conference as it was the first of its kind to be run by stu
dents and discussed by doctors and officials from the government and the private sector. The conference, which kicked off yesterday, is organized by Sama International Company.

In a statement, KU faculty member Dr Manal Mansour Bouhaimad commended the level of the student-run debate, pointing out that the students have presented research and studies on the privatization of the health care sector with both the supporting team and its rival contributing in enriching substance of the conference in a "stunningly-unique" manner.

On her part, medicine student Nouf Al-Enzi expressed deep content over here participation in the debate. She said that the debate mainly dealt with the pros and cons of privatizing the health sector in Kuwait, pointing out that the students stressed on the importance of the private sector on that regard as well as the government's support.

Sara Al-Jazzaf, another student, said that encouraging Kuwaiti youth to exploit their potential and developing their professional capabilities was one of the objectives of participating in the conference. "Participating in these debates help students sharpen their medical expertise that would qualify them to work in many medical centers, whether government or private sector centers," she said.

Al-Jazzaf noted noted the coming period would witness more student-run conferences, either at local or Arab levels. The hosts of the conference concluded by expressing deep thanks for the support provided to students from the Faculty of Medicine at Kuwait University, especially the efforts exerted by faculty member Dr Manal Bouhaimad, who greatly contributed in preparing students for this conference. --- KUNA