Kuwait, first Arab country to head Int'l Hospital Federation

KUWAIT, Dec 6 (KUNA) -- Kuwait is the first Arab country to chair the International Hospital Federation (IHF) since it was founded 61 years ago, said Kuwaiti Health Undersecretary Dr. Ibrahim Al-Abdulhadi on Saturday.

Kuwait headed the IHF Congress held in Geneva, Switzerland last Tuesday, over a three-day period, Al-Abdulhadi noted to KUNA.

Fresh policies related to hospitalization and primary health care were adopted in the meeting as well as the urgency for increased significance to be placed on international recognition programmes.

The UAE emirate Dubai also crossed a new threshold, being the first Arab city to host the International Medical Care and Diagnostic Conference and Exhibition due in 2011, chosen over Belgium and South Africa.

The conference will accommodate over 7000 medical experts from around the world, Al-Abdulhadi mentioned.

Founded in France 1947, the IHF is a non-profit organization including 157 member countries.

The IHF aims to develop and maintain cooperation and communication among hospitals and health care organizations worldwide.