The Ministry of Health hosted a workshop titled "Competency Framework" on Monday, focusing on reviewing the preliminary version of a competency framework for public health specialists. The three-day event was organized by the Gulf Center for Disease Prevention and Control in collaboration with the GCC Health Council and the Kuwait Center for Disease Prevention.

Key Discussions and Highlights:

1. Opening Remarks by Dr. Al-Munther Al-Hasawi, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health:

• Emphasized the growing need to enhance workforce competency in public health across GCC nations.

• Stressed the importance of investing in human capital through capacity-building, training, and development based on scientific and evidence-based frameworks.

• Highlighted that public health competency extends beyond technical skills to include leadership, teamwork, and effective communication.

• Defined public health competency as "the ability to deliver effective, community-appropriate health services while achieving optimal outcomes", covering areas like service delivery, resource management, community engagement, and cross-sector collaboration.

2. Dr. Mohammed Al-Saidan, Head of Public Health Emergencies at Kuwait Center for Disease Prevention and Workshop Chair:

• Explained the workshop’s goal to refine the draft competency framework with input from policymakers and experts, aiming to create a comprehensive guide for GCC public health professionals.

• Linked competency to improved community health, increased life expectancy, reduced disease burden, and sustainable development, noting that "healthy individuals are more productive."

• Underscored the need for continuously updated guidelines to address emerging public health challenges, calling them the "foundation for building responsive and adaptable competencies."

3. Challenges and Future Directions:

• Addressed global health challenges, including disease outbreaks and resource management, requiring high-level decision-making and intervention skills.

• Advocated for prevention-focused strategies, stating: "The world is shifting toward prevention rather than treatment—our workforce must be equipped with the highest skills."

• Public health guidelines were described as "a set of evidence-based recommendations to promote health, prevent diseases, and guide individuals/communities toward healthier choices."