Passing the Lantern
A Farewell with Deep Gratitude and Lasting Pride
As I prepare to step down from my role as President of the Kuwaiti Anesthesia and Critical Care Society, I am filled with profound gratitude for the journey we’ve shared. Over three consecutive terms—from 2019 to 2025—I’ve had the honor of working alongside exceptional teams whose dedication and vision have elevated our Society to new heights.
Our journey began amidst the unprecedented challenges of the COVID era, when our Society stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Kuwait Council of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Management—mobilizing intensivists and anesthesia doctors from both the private and oil sectors to serve Kuwait’s COVID ICUs in unity and resolve. In those trying days, we circulated motivational and educational material across social media to uplift and empower the frontline teams working under immense pressure. That moment defined our spirit: collaborative, resilient, and deeply committed to the wellbeing of our nation.
As we emerged from lockdown into a new era of possibility, our achievements flourished. We established a digital presence—through our official email and website—that now stands proudly on international platforms, including the World Federation of Intensive and Critical Care. For the first time, we built the Society’s archives, preserving its history since its founding in 2004—a legacy now safeguarded for future generations.
We supported over 14 events on our calendar, two of which were major international milestones. We hosted the conference of the decade: the Pan-Arab Critical Care gathering, which transcended regional boundaries to welcome the World Federation and witness the signing of global memorandums that reached the highest levels in the field of critical care.
We supported CME initiatives across different hospitals and anesthesia units, empowering departments like Ahmadi General and assisting the Kuwait Anesthesia Board in preparing candidates for difficult airway management. Our regional anesthesia workshops further enriched post-surgical acute pain care.
This year, we reached a historic summit: the largest critical care conference ever registered in Kuwait, held in conjunction with the Pan-Arab Critical Care Conference and the WFICC. And in September, Kuwait claimed its first-ever seat on the WFICC Council—a moment of national pride and global recognition.
Though I step down from leadership, I remain in full service to our Society—committed to supporting its mission through committees and task forces, guided by the wisdom of our new leadership. I believe it is time to pass the lantern to the next generation—those who will carry our Society forward into global leadership. May they build on this foundation with courage, wisdom, and unity.
With heartfelt thanks,
Dr. Salah Taqi
President, Kuwait Anesthesia and Critical Care Society
15.10.2025
