Health Ministry: Initiative for Early Detection of Chronic Diseases
Ministry of Health launches initiative for early detection of chronic diseases at Mubarak Al-Kabeer Exhibition Grounds in Mishref
Translated by Qiyas from الجريدة — Original source
The Ministry of Health launched a community initiative at the Kuwait Fairgrounds in the Mishref area for the early detection of non-communicable chronic diseases, running from the 8th of this month until December 1 next year. The initiative features a mobile clinic offering preliminary screenings to measure blood pressure, blood sugar, weight, height, and body mass index (BMI).
Dr. Wafaa Al-Kandari, Director of the Department for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases, stated that the initiative aims to enhance health awareness and facilitate community members’ access to preliminary screenings. This effort contributes to the early identification of risk factors and helps mitigate health complications associated with these diseases.
Dr. Al-Kandari added that the mobile clinic is located opposite Hall 5 at the fairgrounds and operates twice a week, on Sundays and Tuesdays, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. She noted that the medical team reviews screening results and provides appropriate health guidance for each case, helping individuals understand their health indicators and take necessary preventive steps.
She emphasized that the initiative seeks to make preventive services and early detection more accessible and convenient for everyone. Non-communicable chronic diseases include cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes, cancers, and chronic respiratory diseases. These conditions may develop gradually without obvious symptoms in their early stages, making regular screening and early detection crucial tools for prevention and reducing complications.
She highlighted that the most significant risk factors associated with these diseases include smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke, physical inactivity, unhealthy dietary habits, excessive consumption of salt, sugar, and fats, as well as obesity, overweight, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol levels.
Dr. Al-Kandari clarified that the groups most vulnerable to these risk factors include individuals who are overweight or obese, those who are physically inactive, smokers, people with a family history of heart disease, diabetes, or hypertension, and the elderly. She stressed the importance of not waiting for symptoms to appear before undergoing screenings, as some diseases may not show signs in their early stages.
She underscored that prevention begins with adopting a healthy lifestyle based on balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and abstaining from smoking, alongside regular screenings and monitoring of health indicators. This approach enhances the chances of identifying risk factors and addressing them before they develop into more complex health problems.
