MoH launches 'Climate Change... Enhance Your Health' campaign

KUWAIT CITY, July 18: Dr. Munther Al-Hasawi, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Affairs at the Ministry of Health, announced the ministry's dedication to developing a flexible health system that can adapt to and respond to climate change. This initiative is part of the efforts by the National Committee for Preparedness and Response to the Effects of Climate Change and Environmental Disasters, which includes various national entities. The Health Promotion Department also plays a crucial role in raising community health awareness about climate change.

Speaking at the launch of the “Climate Change... Enhance Your Health” campaign, Dr. Al-Hasawi highlighted the negative and harmful health effects of climate change, such as sunburn, heat stress, muscle atrophy, and respiratory diseases linked to dust. He warned that without significant measures to mitigate climate change, the situation could deteriorate in the next decade. Dr. Al-Hasawi reaffirmed Kuwait’s commitment to the climate change agreement and the nation’s carbon reduction strategy, with a goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.

Dr. Abeer Al-Buhouh, Director of the Health Promotion Department, explained that the campaign was organized in collaboration with various entities related to climate change, including the Ministry of Interior's Environmental Police, the Public Environment Authority, the Medical Emergency Department, and the Green Hands Team. These groups address issues like fainting incidents, sunstroke, and other adverse effects of extreme heat, which are expected to negatively impact food security, agriculture, and sea levels. Dr. Al-Buhouh emphasized the importance of raising awareness on how to deal with these future crises.

Dr. Al-Buhouh also noted that heat is a significant environmental and occupational hazard, with heat stress being the leading cause of death from extreme weather conditions. Heat stress can worsen existing health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental health issues, and asthma, and can increase the risk of accidents and certain infectious diseases. She pointed out that heat stroke is a medical emergency with a high mortality rate, and the number of people exposed to extreme heat due to climate change is steadily increasing worldwide.

She cited data indicating that heat-related deaths among individuals over 65 increased by approximately 85 percent between 2000-2004 and 2017-2021. Studies from 2000-2019 show an annual average of 489,000 heat-related deaths, with 45 percent occurring in Asia and 36 percent in Europe. Dr. Al-Buhouh stressed that the risk of heat exposure is influenced by factors such as age, health status, occupation, and socioeconomic conditions. However, the negative health effects of heat can be largely prevented through specific, multi-sectoral public health interventions.