KUWAIT CITY, Oct 26: The Ministry of Health is set to host the second Kuwait Public Health Conference next Monday, themed “Confronting Public Health Challenges... Proposed Solutions,” under the patronage of Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi. The conference aims to highlight key issues and challenges affecting societal health.

Dr. Fahad Al-Ghamlas, Director of the Public Health Department and Chairman of the Conference, informed the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that the event, organized by the Public Health Sector over two days, will cover several critical areas. These include combating infectious diseases, with an emphasis on prevention, early diagnosis, and effective treatment, as well as the importance of scientific research and enhancing international cooperation.

The conference will also address the "One Health" initiative, which seeks to foster collaboration between the health and environmental sectors, integrating human, animal, and environmental health. Additionally, it will explore the role of digitization in public health, examining how modern technology can improve healthcare delivery, enhance rapid crisis response, and modernize health monitoring systems.

Other topics include the "Healthy Cities" initiative, which focuses on transforming urban areas into healthy and safe environments that promote population well-being through improvements in the environment, infrastructure, and mental health. The conference will also delve into food safety, promoting sustainable food systems to mitigate health risks.

Furthermore, the impact of climate change will be a point of discussion, specifically how sustainable practices can reduce extreme weather events that adversely affect air and water quality and exacerbate global health crises. Another critical axis will cover public health for travelers, emphasizing the need for medical advice and health protocols to curb the spread of diseases across borders.

The conference will feature an exhibition of scientific posters, showcasing contributions from esteemed doctors and graduate students on public health topics. Specialized workshops, including a food poisoning workshop in collaboration with the World Health Organization and a biological risk assessment workshop, will also be part of the agenda. Over 15 official bodies, including the College of Public Health at Kuwait University and the Public Health Association, will participate in the exhibition, which will include a special pavilion offering winter vaccinations for attendees.