KUWAIT — The Ministry of Health launched a nationwide campaign on Monday aimed at raising awareness and promoting early detection of non-communicable chronic diseases. The kickoff event took place at The Avenues mall, with activities scheduled to continue throughout October at multiple primary healthcare centers before culminating on October 29 at the ministry’s headquarters.
The campaign is spearheaded by the Department of Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases and is part of Kuwait’s broader development and strategic plans to enhance public health outcomes. The initiative targets the prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases, which represent leading causes of mortality both in Kuwait and globally.
Dr. Wafaa Al-Kandari, director of the department, emphasized the importance of addressing risk factors such as smoking, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and obesity to reduce disease incidence and premature deaths. She outlined that the campaign’s activities include educational outreach to encourage healthier lifestyle choices and to provide the public with accessible information on prevention and early detection.
The ministry has released a timetable for the campaign’s ongoing events, which will be held at various healthcare centers across the country throughout the month. Dr. Al-Kandari noted the collaboration between multiple departments within the Ministry of Health, including Health Promotion, Primary Care, School Health, and Physical Therapy, as well as academic support from the College of Public Health involving students and faculty members.
Civil society organizations are also actively involved, with the Kuwait Heart Association and the National Cancer Awareness Campaign (CAN) among the key partners. Dr. Lamia Al-Aradi, senior public health specialist at the department, highlighted the campaign’s slogan, “Your Health Starts with a Step,” which underscores the role of proactive prevention measures and the adoption of healthier habits in improving population health.
Dr. Al-Aradi further explained that the campaign seeks to enhance the quality of life in Kuwait by expanding early detection programs and providing reliable medical information to residents. A total of 15 organizations and entities, including local health bodies and international partners such as the World Health Organization, the Nutrition and Food Administration, and the Kuwait Obesity Association, are collaborating in this effort.
The broad participation reflects a coordinated national and international initiative to address the growing burden of chronic diseases through education, prevention, and timely intervention. The campaign’s comprehensive approach aims to support Kuwait’s public health objectives and contribute to reducing the long-term impact of chronic illnesses on its population.