Thursday, October 12, 2017
The State of Kuwait stressed yesterday the importance of developing awareness on the environmental causes of some cancers, and strategic interventions within national action plans to address the harmful effects on health. Early diagnosis of cancer through community health surveys is so essential to improving survival, Dr Rihab Al-Wutinyan, Director of the Primary Health Care Department, said.
Al-Wutinyan made her remarks while addressing the 64th session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean in Islamabad. Kuwait has successfully implemented national health screening programs for the early diagnosis of cancer, the member of the Kuwaiti delegation at the session, noted. Some of these programs are the National Program for Early Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer, and the early diagnosis program for breast cancer among women, she added. The primary health care system can become the starting point for implementing national strategies and action plans for prevention, early diagnosis of cancer and addressing related risk factors, she said.
The delegate also highlighted her country’s commitment to prevent and treat chronic diseases since the issuance of the United Nations Political Declaration in September 2011. Kuwait has followed a multi-pronged procedure, including the confirmation of high-level commitment through the formation of a Higher Committee for Prevention and the response to chronic diseases, she added.
Wutinyan informed the attendees that the committee, formed under the supervision of Kuwaiti health minister, includes leading members and specialists from inside and outside the ministry. It also includes civil society and public benefit associations with a health relation, she added.
The health ministry has also updated the protocols and policies of the work at the level of primary health care and Hospitals and palliative care, she endorsed.