The Ministry of Health is keen on strengthening the values of Islamic medical culture in various health fields due to its significance in treating some diseases, Dr. Mohammad Al-Khashti, the ministry's Undersecretary of Public Medical Services, affirmed Wednesday.

Al-Khashti made his remarks in a speech he gave during the opening of the "History of Medicine in Human Civilization" museum, held in cooperation with the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) at the Islamic Medicine Center at Al-Sabah Medical area as part of celebrating Kuwait Capital of Islamic Culture 2016.

Kuwait has contributed to solidifying the Islamic culture in its medical sectors, naming two of its major hospitals after notable Muslim medical scientists such as Al-Razi and Ibn Sina, aka Avicenna, he noted.

The museum aims at raising public awareness and shedding light on Islamic and alternative medicine in order to face current and future challenges, Al-Khashti said.

For his part, Dr. Bader Al-Duwaish, NCCAL's Assistant Secretary-General, said, in his speech, the event highlights the historic development of medicine and pharmaceutical industry, adding that the museum is an essential source for researching and documenting Islamic heritage, which NCCAL strives to persevere.

The museum includes a number of medical materials that have been extracted from natural plants and oils, in addition to a display of medicines and gems that are believed to be effective in treating some chronic diseases.