Al-Awadi: 95 health centers included in the National Comprehensive Childhood Initiative
Minister of Health Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadi affirmed that attention to childhood constitutes a core pillar of the health and development system, emphasizing the importance of providing every child with opportunities for growth and learning, and supporting families with the necessary knowledge and services to serve as key partners in their care.
This statement was made by Al-Awadi during the launch of the National Comprehensive Childhood Initiative, implemented by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), with the aim of establishing an integrated approach to child care and family support, both health-wise and developmentally.
He explained that the Ministry’s vision for child care begins before pregnancy, continues through monitoring maternal health and necessary screenings, and extends to newborn care, vaccinations, and tracking growth and development. This comprehensive approach helps identify and address early any factors that may affect the health of mothers and children.
Al-Awadi noted that Kuwait has made progress in child health, with the under-five mortality rate declining from 12.7 per 1,000 children in 2000 to 8.8 in 2023, according to national Sustainable Development Goals indicators. He stressed that this progress reinforces the need to continue efforts to enhance children’s health and quality of life.
Al-Awadi stated that the initiative includes two integrated programs: the National Developmental Screening Program and the "Bad'a" platform for child development. He clarified that the national program relies on a standardized questionnaire to monitor children’s developmental milestones in communication, motor skills, problem-solving, and personal interaction, helping to identify indicators that may require specialized assessment.
He added that the "Bad'a" platform provides parents and healthcare providers with the necessary knowledge and guidance to understand children’s developmental stages and skills through play, interaction, and daily activities.
He highlighted that joint teams from the Ministry of Health and NBK worked on preparing the initiative, including establishing referral pathways, equipping resources, and training staff. A total of 240 doctors were trained, and 95 health centers were prepared to implement the plan in phases.
He pointed out the activation of Well Child Clinics in primary healthcare centers, citing their proximity to beneficiaries and their ability to provide integrated counseling and services. These clinics coordinate with pediatric departments and specialized centers to ensure assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation tailored to each child’s needs.
For his part, Essam Al-Saqer, Vice Chairman and CEO of NBK Group, affirmed that the initiative embodies the bank’s belief that building a more prosperous future for Kuwait starts with investing in future generations. He highlighted the importance of a child’s early years in shaping cognitive and social abilities and forming their future.
Al-Saqer said the initiative aims to provide the necessary tools to help every child reach their full potential through two main pillars: the National Developmental Screening Program in partnership with the Ministry of Health, and the "Bad'a" platform for child development, which provides families with the knowledge, guidance, and support they need.
He added that NBK’s contribution to the initiative, whose outlines emerged more than two years ago, stems from its national commitment and social responsibility, representing a model of synergy between the public and private sectors and civil society institutions. This collaboration contributes to providing an integrated health and developmental environment that supports children during their early stages.
He confirmed the bank’s continued support for national projects and initiatives with sustainable developmental impact, and strengthening partnerships with the public sector and community partners, to support a healthier and more prosperous future for Kuwaiti children and their families.
For her part, Dr. Wafaa Al-Atiqi, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Infants and Premature Babies Fields, stated that the initiative represents a qualitative leap in the care of Kuwaiti children through early identification of their needs and timely support. She noted that the first five years are a fundamental stage for establishing communication, motor, learning, and social interaction skills.
She explained that the joint team from the Ministry of Health and NBK began its work in May 2026 and, within three months, established clear policies and referral pathways, and defined necessary procedures following developmental screenings and referring cases to relevant specialties.
She added that "Well Child Clinics" were activated during evening hours in 12 health centers, alongside training 240 primary care physicians and implementing the developmental screening questionnaire in 95 health centers.
She pointed out the initiative’s participation in the "Mother and Child" exhibition last month, where the developmental screening and Well Child Clinic services were introduced. The screening was conducted for 170 children, with 30 referred to pediatricians in hospitals for continued follow-up and assessment.
She revealed that the next phase of the initiative will include enabling appointments for evening Well Child Clinics via the "Sahl" application, integrating developmental screening results into patient files in the primary healthcare system, and training pediatricians in hospitals on the ASQ-3 questionnaire.
For her part, Dr. Nahed Al-Atiqi, a developmental pediatrician specialist, emphasized the importance of developmental screening in the early detection of any delays in children’s skill acquisition, allowing for timely intervention and improving the child’s developmental trajectory and quality of life.
She added that "Well Child Clinics" do not focus solely on monitoring weight and height, but also track skill development and educate parents about the stages their children are going through and ways to support their continuous growth and development through daily activities.
