National Bank of Kuwait launches "National Early Childhood Initiative" in partnership with the Ministry of Health
National Bank of Kuwait, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, officially launched the “National Early Childhood Initiative” during a ceremony held at the Drama Theater of the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center. The event was presided over by and attended by His Excellency Minister of Health Dr. Ahmed Abdulwahab Al-Awadi, alongside Mr. Isam Jasim Al-Saqqar, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Bank of Kuwait Group, as well as members of the bank’s executive management, along with a number of leaders, medical personnel, 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 healthcare 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, His Excellency Minister of Health Dr. Ahmed Abdulwahab Al-Awadi stated: “Through the launch of the National Early Childhood Initiative, we affirm 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 years, the foundations of health, learning, and communication are formed, and the child’s capabilities unfold. 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 core 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 of Health’s vision for child health is based on continuous care across stages, beginning before pregnancy through parental health care, health counseling, and preventive screenings, and continuing through pregnancy, childbirth, neonatal care, vaccinations, and growth and development monitoring, thereby 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, 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 in it reassuring knowledge, supportive assistance, and services that respond to their child’s needs.
Regarding the partnership with the National Bank in this initiative, Dr. Al-Awadi said: “We are proud of our partnership with the National Bank of Kuwait and what the National Bank of Kuwait 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 teams from the Ministry of Health and the National Bank contributed to preparing the National Early Childhood Initiative, establishing referral pathways, developing knowledge resources, and training healthcare staff. He expressed his gratitude to the board of directors, leadership, and teams of the National Bank of Kuwait, and extended his thanks to the joint teams and Ministry of Health staff who contributed to the preparation of this initiative.
Al-Awadi concluded his speech by emphasizing that the success of the initiative would be measured by its ability to ensure every child receives the care they need and that their families receive timely support. He reiterated the Ministry of Health’s commitment to ensuring that the benefits of this progress reach every family in Kuwait, and that every child receives care tailored to their needs, based on the conviction that Kuwaiti children are a trust in our present, and caring for them is our responsibility toward the nation’s future.
For his part, Mr. Essam Jasim Al-Saqer, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NBK Group, outlined the dimensions and national objectives of the initiative, stating: “I am delighted to be with you today on this special occasion to witness together the launch of the National Early Childhood Initiative. This national initiative reflects our deep belief that building a more prosperous future for Kuwait begins with caring for its children during their early years—the most influential stage in shaping their abilities, potential, and future.”
Al-Saqer expressed his appreciation to the participating entities, extending his sincere thanks and gratitude 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 have witnessed a genuine commitment to the success of this initiative and the mobilization of the necessary resources to implement it in a way that serves the health of children and families in Kuwait.”
Elaborating on the background of the initiative, Al-Saqer stated: “The journey of this initiative began more than two years ago, when this promising concept 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 child care and family empowerment during the early years of children’s lives are shared national responsibilities that require integrated roles and coordinated efforts among various state institutions and the private sector.”
Al-Saqer noted that what distinguishes this initiative is its focus on the most critical stage in human life. From this perspective, the national initiative aims to provide the necessary tools and support to help every child realize 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.
Concluding his speech, Al-Saqer reaffirmed NBK Group’s commitment to continuing its support for national initiatives with sustainable impact, and to enhancing constructive cooperation between the public and private sectors, thereby contributing to serving the 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, Ms. Sumaya 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 initiative aims to address key challenges in child growth and care through two integrated pillars:
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.
Ninety-five centers have been licensed, and more than 240 doctors have been trained in screening, while capacity has been expanded.
Standardizing and updating medical referral pathways to support early detection and intervention for children requiring additional support.
Opening 12 evening clinics for healthy children, distributed across Kuwait’s six governorates with two clinics per governorate, while enabling advance electronic booking via the “Salem” app to facilitate follow-up for families and working parents.
A free mobile application available in Arabic and English, providing mothers and fathers with a reliable tool to monitor their children’s development from birth up to age five. The app offers more than 150 child developmental milestones, along with interactive activities and scientifically backed guidance developed in collaboration with a select group of local doctors and specialists. It helps parents track their child’s progress across five key domains: communication, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, problem-solving, and personal and social skills.
Field and community awareness campaigns to enhance understanding of the importance of the early years.
National Bank of Kuwait consistently strives to reinforce its pioneering role as a leading supporter of corporate social responsibility and sustainability in Kuwait, by championing national initiatives with significant social impact and sustainable strategic outcomes that contribute to improving quality of life and fostering community development.
