GCC Vision Against Diseases Is Based On Protection -- Kuwait

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) NEW YORK, Sept 25 (KUNA) -- Kuwait's Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi on Thursday said the GCC vision for anti-diseases protection and boosting psychological health is based on the Concept that protection is "the best investment in the human capital on the path of sustainable development."
Minister Al-Awadhi was speaking on behalf of the GCC states at the Fourth High-Level Meeting of the UN General Assembly on non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental health -- held during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 80).
Average spending on health in the GCC countries has reached 4.5 percent of the gross domestic product last year, he said, adding that establishment of the Gulf Center for Disease Protection and Control (Gulf CDC) in 2022 was a regional inclusive complex concerned with "governance of the communicable and non-communicable diseases."
The GCC states had adopted the unified treaty for selective taxes 2016, aimed at cutting consumption of commodities that are harmful to humans and the environment such as tobacco, electronic cigarettes and some sweetened beverages, he said.
The GCC Standardization Organization (GSO), a regional authority that had been established according to a decision by the GCC Supreme Council during its 22nd session, had endorsed systems to cut consumption of fats and hydrogenated oils in line with the GCC approach to improve public health, the Kuwaiti minister of health added.
The Gulf countries place mental health in the center of the national strategies, adopting plans to secure qualified medical cadres in tandem with integrated psychological care, including the combat against stereotypes.
All GCC countries have boosted their medical systems with specialized centers that serve everybody particularly the weakest segments, minister Al-Awadhi said, citing other achievements such as Sheikh Shakhbout medical facility in the UAE, Bahrain's success in treating the sickle cell anemia and Saudi Arabia's virtual medical services.
He also noted in this respect that Oman had established Al-Masarra Hospital for psychological care and Qatar built Renad Academy for treating autism among children.
Citing other accomplishments in the Gulf, the minister mentioned that Kuwait had set up the Genetic Center to boost early diagnosis, noting that it serves 12,000 families per year.
He applauded, on behalf of the GCC states, the political declaration released by the meeting, affirming adherence to its content and care for people afflicted with rare diseases, estimated globally at 300 million.
Minister Al-Awadhi called for altering the medical systems to meet needs of the weakest segments of peoples and concluded by affirming the GCC states' adherence to boost health and welfare for all in line with the goals and the sustainable development plans, adopted by the UN in 2015.
He also expressed aspiration to broaden partnerships with all stakeholders for preserving human dignity and right to live in an honorable manner across the world. (end)
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