VZCZCXRO5631
PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHKU #0789 1950635
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 130635Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1846
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY

UNCLAS KUWAIT 000789 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR NEA/ARP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON KU PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: NEW HEALTH MINISTER: MORE HOSPITALS, FEWER MEDICAL 
JUNKETS 
 
 ¶1.  (U) Summary.  The Ambassador and new Minister of Health 
Ali Al-Barrak laid the groundwork for USG-GOK cooperation in 
the healthcare sector during a very cordial meeting on July 
¶8.  The Minister highlighted the GOK's intention to build 
additional hospitals, which the Ambassador noted would 
benefit from cost-effective, high-quality American medical 
equipment and supplies.  End Summary. 
 
¶2.  (U)  During an extremely relaxed July introductory call 
with the Ambassador, the new Minister of Health, Ali Mohammed 
Al-Barrak, made clear his intent to engage with U.S. 
companies in the healthcare sector. 
 
¶3.  (U)  Just as many other newly-appointed ministers, given 
the transitional nature of recent GOK governments, Al-Barrak 
was tentative about his long-term plans, though he did 
emphasize the GOK's intention to expand the number of 
hospital beds in Kuwait, including building new medical 
facilities.  (Note: The Amir recently stated an objective of 
200-240 new hospital beds. End Note.)  The Ambassador 
reminded the Minister of the relative advantage of 
high-quality American medical equipment and supplies, since 
current exchange rates render American products highly 
cost-effective.  Noting the high number of visa requests 
received by the Embassy in connection with medical travel, 
the Ambassador remarked that higher levels of quality of 
healthcare in Kuwaiti hospitals would permit the Ministry of 
Health to reduce the number of patient referrals to overseas 
hospitals, with accompanying higher administrative costs. 
(Note: Al-Barrack has been criticized recently for his 
reported "independent vetting" of eligibility for overseas 
medical travel. The GOK pays all expenses for what has 
become, in the view of many, medical junkets to the U.S. and 
Europe.  End Note.) 
 
¶4.  (U) The Ambassador also took this opportunity to 
acknowledge and praise the professional and transparent 
support of two ministry officials who have provided valuable 
assistance to the Embassy's Commercial Section, 
UnderSecretary Dr. Essa Khalifa and Director of Quality 
Control Omar Al-Sayed Omar.  (Note: To distinguish them from 
the unfortunately often corrupt practices of others in the 
Ministry. End Note.) 
 
¶5.  (U)  The Minister and Ambassador also discussed the 
challenges of diabetes, obesity and related conditions facing 
both Kuwait and the United States, as well as surprisingly 
China (according to a recent BBC report).  The Ambassador 
mentioned the recent visits by teams from Johns Hopkins 
University and Harvard University to the GOK's Dasman Center 
for Research and Treatment of Diabetes; the Minister was 
familiar with these visits and welcomed further such 
cooperation.  (Note: Post understands that the well-funded, 
but under-utilized Dasman Center has recently entered into a 
partnership agreement with Harvard Medical School's Forsyth 
Institute.  End Note.) 
 
¶6.  (SBU)  Comment:  Significant commercial opportunities 
exist for U.S. companies in Kuwait's healthcare sector, 
particularly in the areas of health maintenance and diabetes. 
 We will encourage U.S. companies to capitalize on the 
Minister's desire, at the reported bequest of the Amir, to 
expand healthcare at home.  End Comment. 
 
¶7.  (SBU)  Biographical notes:  Minister Al-Barrak graduated 
from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI in the late 
1970's and harbors warm feelings towards the U.S.  The 
Minister, who previously served as UnderSecretary in the 
Ministry of Education, told the Ambassador that he had been 
tapped to run the ministry for his managerial, not technical 
skills (his predecessor, Maasouma Saleh Al-Mubarak, resigned 
in the wake of intense criticism from Kuwaiti MPs following a 
fire at Jahra Hospital).  The Minister, who speaks excellent 
English, has four children, two daughters (one a lawyer, one 
an engineer) and two sons, whom he intends to send to the 
U.S. for college. 
 
********************************************* * 
For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/?cable s 
 
Visit Kuwait's Classified Website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/ 
********************************************* * 
JONES