Ministry of Health launches national awareness campaign on non-communicable chronic diseases - Sarmad

The Ministry of Health, represented by the Department of Prevention and Management of Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases, launched today, Monday, the National Campaign for Awareness of Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases and Early Detection at the “Avenues” complex. The campaign will run throughout October at several primary healthcare centers, with its activities concluding on October 29 at the Ministry’s General Diwan.

Dr. Wafaa Al-Kandari, Director of the Department of Prevention and Management of Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases, told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that the campaign aligns with developmental and strategic plans to enhance public health.

Al-Kandari 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.

She clarified that the campaign began at the “Avenues” complex and will continue throughout the month at various primary healthcare centers according to an approved schedule published via the Ministry’s platforms. She pointed out that the core objective is to solidify healthy lifestyles and reduce risky behaviors such as smoking, unhealthy nutrition, physical inactivity, and obesity.

Dr. Al-Kandari praised the broad partnership that ensured the success of the event, involving the Health Promotion, Primary Care, School Health, and Physical Therapy departments, as well as the academic participation of the College of Public Health with its students and staff. She also highlighted the involvement of civil society organizations, including the Kuwait Heart Association and the National Campaign for Cancer Awareness (CAN).

For her part, Dr. Lamea Al-Aradi, a Senior Public Health Specialist in the Department of Prevention and Management of Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases, told KUNA in a similar statement that the campaign’s opening aims primarily to improve the quality and standard of healthy living in the country, provide the public with reliable medical information, and intensify early detection programs for non-communicable diseases. She noted that the campaign’s slogan is “Your Health Starts with a Step” to promote proactive prevention.

Dr. Al-Aradi explained that 15 entities, both within and outside the Ministry, are participating in the campaign, led by the World Health Organization, as well as the Nutrition and Feeding, Primary 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.