MOH forms special teams to combat health and environmental hazards

Minister of Health Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadhi announced that special teams from the Ministry have conducted 12,800 field inspection missions across various regions of Kuwait to evaluate environmental conditions and remove waste that fosters the spread of insects and rodents — factors that pose serious risks to public health and the environment.

The minister made the remarks during an awareness day event organized under the slogan “Prevention is better than control,” part of the Ministry of Health’s broader “Environmental Sanitation” campaign, which aims to combat environmental degradation and its impact on disease transmission, reports Al-Rai daily.

Dr. Al-Awadhi emphasized that the campaign represents a new vision and approach, stating, “Waste disposal has long been a challenge, but today’s real challenge lies in achieving comprehensive environmental sanitation. Any imbalance in our environment can trigger the spread of epidemics and diseases—whether within ministry facilities or in the broader community.”

He stressed that the responsibility for waste removal is not just an individual obligation but a collective societal duty. “Whether it’s agricultural waste or construction debris, these materials become breeding grounds for rodents and insects, which can carry dangerous diseases,” he said.

To address this, the ministry has created a department for insect and rodent control and has urged citizens and residents to report any waste accumulations by calling the ministry hotline 151 (option 6). Additionally, the ministry is working on integrating its services with the “Sahel” digital government platform, allowing easier reporting of environmental issues.

Dr. Al-Awadhi highlighted the importance of a unified health approach, stating, “We are operating under the single concept of protecting human, animal, and environmental health—a principle known as One Health.”

The campaign, which officially launched in late 2023, continues to gain momentum and relies heavily on public cooperation to succeed in its mission of building a healthier society for future generations.

Dr. Fahd Al-Ghamlas, Director of the Public Health Department at the Ministry of Health, reaffirmed that the “Environmental Sanitation” campaign will extend beyond this year, as it targets long-term improvements in environmental health.

Speaking to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Al-Ghamlas said the campaign is being conducted in collaboration with several key government agencies, including the Kuwait Municipality, the Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources, Environment Public Authority and the ministries of Public Works and Interior.

He explained that the campaign aims to correct environmental imbalances caused by excessive human activity, which disrupt natural ecosystems and provide fertile ground for disease-carrying pests.

“The campaign sheds light on key causes of environmental degradation, such as the random dumping of food, farm, and construction waste, faulty sewage systems, and enclosed spaces that create ideal conditions for pests,” Al-Ghamlas said.

Special teams from the Public Health Department regularly patrol all health districts, conducting surveys and identifying environmental hazards in cooperation with relevant authorities. These efforts are supported by ongoing daily inspections and fieldwork across the country.