Ministry of Health Launches National Awareness Campaign on Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases
Launch of an awareness campaign for early detection of chronic diseases in Kuwait, involving multiple entities.
Translated by Qiyas from كونا — Original source
Kuwait City, Oct 5 (KUNA) -- The Ministry of Health, through its Department for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases, launched today, Monday, the national awareness campaign on non-communicable chronic diseases and early detection of these conditions at The Avenues Mall. The campaign will run throughout October at various primary health care centers and will conclude on October 29 at the ministry’s general diwaniya.
Dr. Wafaa Al-Kandari, director of the Department for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases, told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that the campaign aligns with national development and strategic plans to enhance public health. She noted that the focus is on raising awareness about heart and vascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases, which are the leading causes of death locally and globally. She emphasized that addressing risk factors directly contributes to preventing illness and avoiding premature death.
Dr. Al-Kandari explained that the campaign kicked off at The Avenues Mall and will continue throughout the month at various primary health care centers according to an approved schedule published on the ministry’s platforms. She highlighted that the core objective is to promote healthy lifestyles and reduce risky behaviors such as smoking, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and obesity.
Dr. Al-Kandari praised the broad partnership that contributed to the success of the event, involving the Health Promotion, Primary Health Care, School Health, and Physical Therapy departments, as well as academic participation from the College of Public Health with its students and staff, alongside civil society organizations such as the Kuwait Heart Association and the National Campaign for Cancer Awareness (KANC).
For her part, Dr. Lamea Al-Arjadi, a senior public health specialist in the Department for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases, told KUNA in a similar statement that the campaign’s opening aims primarily to improve the quality and standards of healthy living in the country, provide the public with reliable medical information, and intensify early detection programs for non-communicable diseases. She stated that the campaign’s message is “Your health starts with a step” to reinforce proactive prevention.
Dr. Al-Arjadi added that 15 entities, both within and outside the ministry, are participating in the campaign, including the World Health Organization, as well as the Nutrition and Catering, Primary Health Care, and Nursing departments, along with the Kuwait Heart Association and the Kuwait Obesity Association, reflecting the convergence of national and international efforts to combat chronic diseases. (End) M.N.M./T.A.B.
