KUWAIT CITY, Dec 15: The Ministry of Health (MoH) has launched six new specialized clinics to examine food handlers, including those working in kindergartens and Hajj campaigns. These clinics are available to citizens at various health centers across all governorates, making it easier for them to obtain the health fitness certificates required to practice these vital professions.

Dr. Fahad Al-Ghamlas, Director of the Public Health Department at the Ministry, emphasized in a press statement on Saturday that the health of food handlers is crucial for safeguarding public health and preventing the spread of infectious diseases that may be transmitted through food.

Al-Ghamlas also highlighted the ministry's efforts to streamline the process by introducing electronic services via the unified government application (Sahel), allowing individuals to choose the appropriate center and schedule appointments online.

The examinations for food handlers include a visual inspection to ensure general cleanliness, laboratory tests, and X-rays to detect infectious respiratory diseases. Preventive vaccinations, such as hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines, are also provided.

The selected health centers offering these services include Al-Saqr Specialist, Hawally West, Abdulrahman Al-Zaid, Fahaheel, Manahi Al-Asimi, and Al-Oyoun, in addition to the two main centers in East and Farwaniya.

The health fitness certificate is issued electronically through the (Sahel) and Q8seha applications, eliminating the need for a personal visit to the center. The certificate is valid for one year and can be renewed.

This initiative is part of the ongoing efforts to enhance community health and ensure food safety, under the guidance of Minister of Health Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadhi.

Dr. Al-Ghamlas reiterated that food safety and community health are top priorities for the ministry, which is committed to providing high-quality preventive and therapeutic services. He urged all food handlers to take advantage of the ministry's services, stressing that community health is a shared responsibility that requires cooperation from all sectors.