NBK Launches 'National Early Childhood Initiative'

Kuwait National Bank, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, officially launched the “National Early Childhood Initiative” during a ceremony held at the Drama Theater in the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center. The event was presided over by Minister of Health Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadi, and attended by Essam Jasem Al-Saqer, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kuwait National Bank Group, alongside members of the bank’s executive management, as well as a number of medical leaders, cadres, and specialists.

This comprehensive national initiative aims to make the empowerment and development of early childhood a national priority by providing support and follow-up for every child in the State of Kuwait from the first moments of birth until they reach the age of five.

The initiative offers integrated support for the child and their family, starting with awareness and guidance through the “Bida” platform, and extending to working with health professionals to ensure a clear pathway for the early detection of the child’s needs through developmental screening, thereby facilitating early access to specialized support and services when intervention has the greatest impact.

In his speech at the ceremony, Dr. Al-Awadi stated, “Through the launch of the National Early Childhood Initiative, we reaffirm that caring for children in their early years is a shared national responsibility, and that investing in their childhood is an investment in the human capital that will carry Kuwait’s future. During these formative years, the foundations of health, learning, and communication are established, and a child’s capabilities begin to flourish. The care, knowledge, and security we provide during this period leave a lasting impact on the child’s life, their family, and society as a whole. Therefore, attention to early childhood lies at the heart of our health and development priorities, alongside supporting and empowering families with the knowledge and services they need, as they are the primary partners in child care.”

He added that the Ministry’s vision for child health is based on continuous care across stages, beginning before pregnancy through parental health care, health counseling, and preventive screenings. This care continues during pregnancy, childbirth, neonatal care, vaccinations, and growth and development monitoring, making early prevention a cornerstone for the health of families and future generations.

Dr. Al-Awadi clarified that the National Early Childhood Initiative adds an organized pathway to the healthcare system for monitoring child development and supporting their families, thereby contributing to enhancing growth, learning, and quality of life for children in Kuwait. He noted that the initiative aims to ensure that every father and mother finds reassuring knowledge, supportive assistance, and services that respond to their child’s needs.

Regarding the partnership with Kuwait National Bank in this initiative, Dr. Al-Awadi said, “We are proud of our partnership with the Bank and what the Kuwait National Bank Specialized Children’s Hospital represents as a model of partnership in serving child health. Partnerships between state institutions and the private sector, when based on a clear objective and shared responsibility, contribute to developing services and expanding their impact.”

He explained that joint working teams between the Ministry of Health and Kuwait National Bank contributed to preparing the National Early Childhood Initiative, establishing referral pathways, preparing knowledge resources, and training health cadres. He expressed his gratitude to the board of directors, leadership, and teams at Kuwait National Bank, and extended his thanks to the joint teams and Ministry of Health staff who contributed to preparing this initiative.

Dr. Al-Awadi concluded his speech by emphasizing that the success of the initiative will be measured by its ability to ensure every child receives the care they need and that their families are supported at the right time. He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that the benefits of this progress reach every family in Kuwait, and that every child receives care appropriate to their needs, based on the principle that Kuwait’s children are a trust in our present, and caring for them is our responsibility toward their future.

For his part, Essam Jassim Al-Saqer, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Al-Watani Group, elaborated on the dimensions and national objectives of the initiative, stating: “I am delighted to be with you today (yesterday) on this distinguished occasion, to witness together the launch of the National Early Childhood Initiative. This national initiative reflects our deep conviction that building a more prosperous future for Kuwait begins with caring for its children during their early years, which is the most influential stage in shaping their capabilities, potential, and future.” Al-Saqer expressed his appreciation to the participating entities, extending his sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Ministry of Health, its leadership, and its medical and administrative staff, for their substantial support and active partnership, which played a fundamental role in turning this idea into reality. He added: “From the very first moment, we sensed a genuine commitment to the success of this initiative and the mobilization of the necessary resources to implement it in a manner that serves the health of children and families in Kuwait.”

Al-Saqer continued, explaining the background of the initiative: “The journey of this initiative began more than two years ago, when this promising idea was presented to us. Since then, supporting it has not been merely a contribution to a community project for us, but a commitment stemming from a firm conviction that caring for children and empowering families during their children’s early years is a shared national responsibility that requires integrated roles and coordinated efforts among various state institutions and the private sector.”

He pointed out that what distinguishes this initiative is its focus on the most critical stage in a person’s life. From this perspective, the National Early Childhood Initiative aims to provide the necessary tools and support to help every child achieve their full potential, through two main pillars: the National Developmental Screening Program in partnership with the Ministry of Health, and the “Bida” platform for early childhood development, which will provide families with a reliable source of information, guidance, and support.

Al-Saqer concluded his speech by reaffirming Al-Watani’s commitment to continuing support for national initiatives with sustainable impact, and enhancing constructive cooperation between the public and private sectors, thereby contributing to serving our beloved nation and improving the quality of life of its citizens. He expressed his hope that this initiative would be an important step toward a healthier and more prosperous future for Kuwaiti children and their families.

For her part, Soma Al-Jasim, Chief Executive Officer of Creative Confidence, stated: “Every mother and father strives to provide the best for their children. Today, with the launch of the National Early Childhood Initiative, and through the Developmental Screening Program and the Bida platform, parents now have a reliable support system and source of knowledge to help them understand, monitor, and support their child’s development during their early years.”

* The program provides a standardized developmental screening using the Ages & Stages Questionnaires, Third Edition (™) (ASQ-3) within primary healthcare services and routine well-child visits across Kuwait. The screening aims to ensure the monitoring of children’s development at key age milestones from birth up to five years of age.

* Twelve evening well-child clinics have been opened, distributed across Kuwait’s six governorates, with two clinics in each governorate. Efforts are underway to enable advance electronic booking via the “Salam” application to facilitate follow-up for families and working parents.

A free bilingual app in Arabic and English, providing mothers and fathers with a reliable tool to monitor their children’s development from birth to age five, through more than 150 developmental milestones and interactive activities, along with trusted scientific guidance developed in collaboration with a select group of local doctors and specialists, based on scientific foundations. The app helps parents track their child’s development across five key domains: communication, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, problem-solving, and personal and social skills.

Al-Watani consistently strives to reinforce its pioneering position as the leading supporter of corporate social responsibility and sustainability in Kuwait, by endorsing national initiatives with significant social impact and sustainable strategic outcomes that contribute to improving quality of life and community development.

Minister Al-Awadi announced the training of 240 doctors and the equipping of 95 health centers, paving the way for implementing the initiative according to a clear phased plan with defined objectives and milestones. He noted that Kuwait has achieved tangible progress in child health, according to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicator published by the UN Statistics Division, which showed a decline in the under-five mortality rate from 12.7 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2000 to 8.8 deaths in 2023.