Kuwait’s Elderly Health Services Dept wins prestigious WHO award for advancing senior care
The World Health Organization (WHO) has awarded the Department of Health Services for the Elderly at the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health and Dr. Huali Wang of China the 2025 His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Award for Promoting the Health of Older Persons, in recognition of their exceptional contributions at both national and international levels.
The award ceremony took place at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, during the 78th session of the World Health Assembly, and was attended by Kuwait’s Minister of Health, Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadhi, Kuwait’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Nasser Al-Hayyen, Assistant Undersecretary for External Health Services, Dr. Hisham Kalander. WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and a number of senior WHO officials and representatives of member states, according to Al-Rai daily.
The WHO praised Kuwait’s progressive efforts to promote elderly health, highlighting the development of the National Strategy for the Health of the Elderly (2024–2030) and a nationwide health survey for seniors. These initiatives have significantly influenced policymaking and elevated the quality of healthcare services for older adults.
The following are among the key achievements noted:
- Mobile vaccination units for the elderly
- Initiatives to establish age-friendly cities
- Training of over 1,000 healthcare workers and caregivers
- A 40% improvement in healthcare coverage for older populations
Dr. Huali Wang was recognized for her instrumental role in shaping China’s National Plan for Healthy Aging and its Action Plan on Dementia, as well as developing community-based care models across 27 regions, and pioneering early detection programs and caregiver education in collaboration with the WHO.
The award, launched through a generous initiative by the State of Kuwait, honors the legacy of the late His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and is granted annually under the auspices of the WHO. It recognizes individuals and institutions that make outstanding contributions to improving the health and well-being of older persons.
The WHO emphasized that the selection process was conducted by an independent committee, underscoring the importance of global collaboration in addressing the challenges of aging populations and safeguarding their health and dignity.
