Latest news with #Al-Hasawi


Arab Times
02-07-2025
- Health
- Arab Times
Kuwaiti medical graduates recognized as key to building new health projects
KUWAIT CITY, July 2: Kuwaiti Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi emphasized the importance of capable leadership and teamwork in building the nation's new health projects. His remarks were conveyed by Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Affairs, Dr. Munther Al-Hasawi, during a ceremony honoring Kuwaiti graduates from the University of Jordan specializing in medical fields. Dr. Al-Hasawi congratulated the graduates on their hard-earned success, noting that their achievement was the result of determination, perseverance, and late nights dedicated to their studies. He urged the newly qualified professionals to actively contribute to Kuwait's healthcare renaissance, stressing that such involvement is not merely a privilege but a vital national duty and historic responsibility. 'The new health projects are founded on the efforts of competent individuals and guided by minds that believe in diligence and integration,' Dr. Al-Hasawi stated. He further highlighted the essential solidarity within the medical community, saying, 'A doctor's success is incomplete without nurses; laboratory work depends on accurate diagnosis; and quality medical services require collaboration among administrators, technicians, doctors, pharmacists, and others.' Acknowledging the global challenges facing the medical profession, Dr. Al-Hasawi affirmed that those who choose this path do so with a profound sense of mission, resilience, and sincerity. He concluded his address by reminding the graduates of the noble nature of their profession: 'You belong to a vocation defined by humanity and guided by mercy — be worthy of this sacred message.'


Arab Times
11-06-2025
- Health
- Arab Times
Kuwait Tightens Disease Screening for New Arrivals
KUWAIT CITY, June 11: Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Affairs at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Munther Al-Hasawi, affirmed on Tuesday that the State of Kuwait applies a precise and comprehensive health control system aimed at preventing the spread of infectious diseases. In a press statement, Dr. Al-Hasawi explained that the Ministry's preventive measures begin even before individuals enter the country. This includes mandatory medical examinations at approved health centers abroad, with the results verified by Kuwaiti consulates or embassies. He noted that undergoing this medical examination abroad is a condition for issuing visas to expatriates wishing to work in Kuwait. Upon arrival in the country, the medical examination is repeated to obtain the health fitness certificate required for issuing residency permits. Dr. Al-Hasawi emphasized that the health tests are not limited to HIV but also include other diseases such as hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis, and, depending on the country of origin, diseases like malaria and filariasis. These efforts fall within the Ministry of Health's broader goal of safeguarding public health. He added that certain job categories are subject to periodic medical examinations, including individuals working in food preparation and handling, salons, health institutes, laundries, and other occupations requiring specific health standards. Dr. Al-Hasawi further stressed that the Ministry of Health continuously monitors global infectious disease trends and updates the list of countries whose citizens must undergo medical screening upon their return to Kuwait. These actions are part of the Ministry's ongoing efforts to protect public safety and strengthen health control measures.


The National
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Saudi Film Festival concludes with awards ceremony and honours screen veteran
The 11th Saudi Film Festival concluded on Wednesday evening, wrapping up a week-long event with a closing ceremony at the Ithra Theatre. The Golden Palm Awards were presented for the official competitions at the event, accompanied by the screening of a documentary honouring this year's celebrated artist, Ibrahim Al-Hasawi. With a career that spans four decades, Al-Hasawi has appeared in 45 theatre productions, 90 television series and 15 films. Upon receiving the award, Al-Hasawi said it was the 'honour of my career'. He also sang the praises of Saudi cinema and the large strides it has taken over the past 10 years, adding that it will reach global audiences and international acclaim. The theme of this year's festival was 'Stories Seen and Told', placing a strong emphasis on identity cinema. A wide range of films delved into themes of memory, belonging and a sense of place, offering perspectives that were personal, social and artistically rich. In the feature film competition, My Driver & I, directed by Ahd Kamel, took home the Golden Palm for Best Feature Film, standing out among strong contenders such as Hobal by Abdulaziz Al-Shalahi and Siwar by Osama Al Khurayji. The film tells the story of a young woman in Jeddah who forms an unexpected bond with her driver as they connect over shared aspirations. His journey mirrors her own, shaped by the challenges of leaving his family behind in Sudan and navigating the limitations placed on women in Saudi Arabia. The Best Acting award was presented to Meshal Al-Mutairi for his performance in Hobal. Actors Rola Dakhil Allah and Fahid Al-Yami were given honourable mentions. The Iraqi film Songs of Adam, directed by Oday Rasheed, was awarded Best Gulf Feature Film, while Hobal, Siwar and Thuqoub earned honourable mentions. Mera, Mera, Mera by Khalid Zaidan earned the Golden Palm in the short film category, competing against Two Sisters by Waleed Alqahtani and The Last Dismissal by Jawaher Alamari. The Abdullah Al-Muhaisen Award for Best First Film went to Sharshura by Ahmed Alnasser, winning ahead of Gum by Bilal AlBader and Saeed's Day by Mohammed AlZuwairi. Delusion by Issa Salem Hamad Al-Subhi was named the Best Gulf Short Film, while Othman in the Vatican by Yasir bin Ghanem secured the Golden Palm in the documentary film category, surpassing strong entries such as Market Dynamo and Sarih. Othman in the Vatican first screened at Red Sea Film Festival and follows Othman Al-Khozaim, a seasoned Saudi painter who receives a scholarship to study design in Rome. In 2019, he was invited to return to Italy to present Letters without Words, an exhibition of his work visited by Pope Francis. The Jabal Tuwaiq Award was presented to the best film about a Saudi city, and went to Qarn Al-Manazil by Misha'al Al-Thubaiti, while The Dark Side of Japan by Bahraini YouTube star Omar Farooq took home the top prize in the Gulf documentary film category. The judging panels featured filmmakers and critics from both Saudi Arabia and the international community. The feature film jury was chaired by Moroccan-French director Ismael Ferroukhi, with Canadian scholar Laura Marks and Saudi director Walaa Bahefzallah serving as members. The short film jury was led by Japanese director Ken Ochiai, with Saudi writer-director Layaly Badr and Saudi director Musab Al-Omari as jurors. The documentary film jury was headed by Egyptian director Marianne Khoury, with Saudi producer-director Faisal Al-Otaibi and French director Sylvie Ballyot completing the panel. The festival concluded by awarding 40 prizes from 16 sponsors, totalling 2,557,500 Saudi riyals ($681,842). The prizes were distributed among Saudi and Gulf film projects in various stages of development and production. The film Green Corpse won the MBC Academy and Shahid Platform Award, valued at SAR 150,000 ($39,990). Since 2022, the Saudi Film Festival has been organised by the Cinema Association in collaboration with the King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture (Ithra) and with support from the Saudi Film Commission.


Arab Times
08-03-2025
- Health
- Arab Times
Kuwait leads MENA region in achieving 90-90-90 HIV targets: UN
GENEVA, March 8: Kuwait's permanent delegation to Geneva highlighted the country's significant progress in combating the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) at the national level, according to United Nations reports. This success is largely attributed to the expansion of free, confidential voluntary testing and the provision of preventive treatments both before and after exposure to infection. The statement was delivered by Diplomatic Attaché Sarah Al-Hasawi on behalf of the State of Kuwait at the 58th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, during a panel discussion on combating HIV. Al-Hasawi outlined that Kuwait has led the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in achieving the 90-90-90 targets. These indicators mean that 90% of people living with HIV are aware of their infection, 90% of those diagnosed are receiving antiretroviral treatment, and 90% of those receiving treatment have an undetectable viral load in their blood. She also emphasized that Kuwait is making steady progress toward the next goal, the 95-95-95 indicators, as part of its national strategy to combat AIDS. Additionally, Al-Hasawi noted that Kuwait has allowed the employment of individuals living with HIV in jobs that do not pose a risk to their health or others, ensuring their full integration into society. She stressed that Kuwait has adopted premarital medical examinations as part of its strategy to enhance health prevention. The country continues to implement widespread awareness campaigns to fight social stigma and encourage individuals to get tested, particularly in schools and universities, to promote effective prevention efforts. On the international front, Al-Hasawi highlighted Kuwait's ongoing support for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, with contributions totaling $27 million over the past 20 years. These funds have been crucial in ensuring equitable access to treatment and supporting the global effort to eliminate AIDS by 2030. In conclusion, Al-Hasawi reaffirmed Kuwait's commitment to the belief that the right to health is a fundamental human right. She emphasized that combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic requires non-discrimination, the preservation of dignity, and the protection of the privacy of those infected. Furthermore, she called for a unified global response to tackle the virus comprehensively.


Leaders
25-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Leaders
Wrth, Riyadh Metro Celebrate Saudi Founding Day with Traditional Arts Showcase
The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (Wrth) and Riyadh Metro, under the supervision of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, have partnered to celebrate Saudi Founding Day with a vibrant showcase of traditional arts. From February 21 to 24, selected Riyadh Metro stations will be transformed into cultural hubs, featuring live demonstrations, special giveaways, and insights into the iconic Saudi bisht, the traditional men's cloak. As part of the celebration, over a thousand handmade bracelets—designed with patterns inspired by the Al-Hasawi bisht—are being distributed at six key Riyadh Metro stations: KAFD Station, National Museum Station, STC Station, Ministry of Education Station, SABIC Station, and Al Naseem Station. Wrth, a leading advocate for national heritage, is committed to preserving and promoting traditional Saudi arts both locally and globally. The institute actively supports artisans, nurtures emerging talent, and fosters the mastery of traditional crafts. Finally, Wrth and Riyadh Metro are offering passengers a unique and immersive cultural experience, deepening their connection to the Kingdom's rich heritage in celebration of Saudi Founding Day. Related Topics : Riyadh Metro Serves 18 mln Passengers since Inauguration 'Art of the Kingdom': First Travelling Exhibition for Contemporary Art to Kick off on Feb. 25 Exclusive Interview: Al-Shamasy Briefs Tourism Growth, Boost for Travel Equipment 'Art of the Kingdom': First Travelling Exhibition for Contemporary Art to Kick off on Feb. 25 Short link : Post Views: 20