KUWAIT CITY, Sept 10: The Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi has issued a ministerial decision to administer the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to men and women ages between  9 and 45 years, reports Aljarida daily.

According to the decision, the vaccination is optional and will be provided to Kuwaitis for free. For non-Kuwaitis, they can be vaccinated according to their desire for a fee as determined by the concerned authorities at the Ministry of Health.

In another development, the Kuwait Physiotherapy Association celebrated World Physiotherapy Day at the Avenues Mall in an event under the slogan "Arthritis".

In her speech during the celebration, the President of the association Hana Al-Khamees stressed the importance of the role of physiotherapy in treating arthritis, as it plays an important role with patients suffering from acute and chronic arthritis, according to the pathological symptoms that the patient suffers from, such as reducing pain using electrical and manual therapy, improving the range of motion and muscle strength through various types of therapeutic exercises, and relieving swelling using ice therapy and others.

Al-Khamees said osteoarthritis is the most common in Kuwait and the world, followed by rheumatoid arthritis (rheumatism) in adults and children.

In addition, the Secretary General of the Kuwait Physiotherapy Association Dr. Abeer Al-Tajali stated that the percentage of women suffering from rheumatoid arthritis is three times more than men.