Kuwait, 16 November 2022- The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in Kuwait hosted a conference on 16 November to create and improve healthy spaces in Kuwait.
In line with WHO’s agenda for health-in-all settings and recognizing that determinants of health cover all aspects of society, WHO hosted a conference to raise awareness and understanding of the healthy spaces concept, focusing on mother- and child-friendly spaces, smoke-free buildings, as well as youth and community engagement.
The objectives of this campaign are to:
Ultimately, this understanding will feed into the health ecosystem’s strategy to help address constraints.
Dr Assad Hafeez, WHO Representative in Kuwait, opened the panel discussion, “We believe there is a public will and common motivation to transform Kuwait’s public spaces into healthy spaces, hence we have asked for your participation today to collectively create a concrete action plan. We want to work collaboratively together to drive action to create healthier public spaces for Kuwait”.
Dr Hafeez further added, “The healthy spaces concept will ultimately reduce noncommunicable diseases that are widespread in Kuwait hence promoting Sustainable Development Goal 3 regarding good health and well-being.”
In advocating for healthy spaces in Kuwait, this campaign builds on WHO’s Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative event on 5 October that aimed to increase the exclusive rates of breastfeeding by creating an enabling environment for nursing mothers in public buildings.
November marks national breastfeeding week in Kuwait and the WHO Country Office has partnered with local stakeholders to conduct a number of activities to raise awareness of the importance of breastfeeding and the health benefits that it reaps for both mother and child. WHO is working with Member States to increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding up to at least 50% by 2025.
About WHO
Dedicated to the well-being of all people and guided by science, the World Health Organization leads and champions global efforts to give everyone, everywhere and equal chance at a safe and healthy life. We are the United Nations agency for health that connects nations, partners, and people on the front lines in 150+ locations, leading the world’s response to health emergencies, preventing disease, addressing the root causes of health issues, and expanding access to medicines and health care. Our mission is to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable.
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Serin Al Ghussein