Kuwait Health Minister affirms Gulf Awareness Cancer Week supports health development
Kuwaiti Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi affirmed on Sunday that GCC countries’ joint work in the Gulf Cancer Awareness Week reflects governmental and non-governmental efforts to support health and preventive development.
Dr. Al-Awadhi said in a speech delivered on his behalf by Assistant Undersecretary for Health Care Affairs at the Ministry Dr. Nadia Al-Juma, during the opening ceremony of the 10th Gulf Cancer Awareness Week, that the continuation of the Gulf week reflects a sign of progress and advancement.
He explained that the Gulf Union for Cancer Control was established in 2002 to include Gulf civil societies working in the field and implemented many joint programs and initiatives that achieved positive resonance at the regional and international levels, noting this success was due to the fruitful cooperation with the Gulf Health Council.
He stated that based on the strategy of the World Health Organization and in close cooperation with the Gulf Health Council, the focus was on achieving two main goals: raising awareness among Gulf citizens about risk factors and stressing the importance of early detection.
He noted forming a coordinating committee in Kuwait that includes relevant bodies and associations to implement awareness activities during this week.
For his part, Chairman of Board of Directors of the Cancer Awareness National Campaign (CAN) Dr. Khaled Al-Saleh said in a similar speech that Gulf Week has achieved noble goals since its launch, embodied in changing the stereotype of cancer diseases.
For her part, Founder and Chairperson of Board of Directors of Al Sidra Association for Psychological Care for Cancer Patients Sheikha Azza Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah said that the celebration achieves the goals of the union to combat and prevent this disease on a GCC level.
She added that Sidra is the first non-profit public benefit association at a GCC level that provides psychological and moral support to cancer patients and their caregivers to help improve their health and respond to treatment better.
In turn, Head of the coordinating committee for the Gulf Week Dr. Hessa Al-Shaheen said that Gulf week carries many messages of positive influence and psychological support, explaining that this year the week is witnessing more than 72 activities targeting all segments of society.
Source: KUNA
