LOC21:48
18:48 GMT
Ministry Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Dr. Qais Al-Duwairi
KUWAIT, Jan 12 (KUNA) -- Kuwait Flour Mills and Bakeries Company's decision
to cut quantity of salt to its products of bread and toast by 20 percent has
been warmly welcomed by the Ministry of Health, which described it as "model
for cooperation to protect public health."
In a press statement, the Ministry Assistant Undersecretary for Public
Health Dr. Qais Al-Duwairi stated the initiative reflected the company's
positive cooperation with the Ministry of Health in combating causes of
diseases.
He unveiled that the initiative has been also lauded by Dr Alaa Ad-Deen Al
Alwan, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the Eastern
Mediterranean Region.
The Ministry official noted that reducing amount of salt to bread was
recommended by the World Health Organization and Kuwait Ministry of Health as
a part of the world and national strategy to combat non-communicable diseases.
"This initiative is considered an important measure according to the world
strategy to combat non-communicable diseases and its risk factors," he said.
He pointed out that lowering salt intake in bread and diet could help curb
the risks of blood pressure, heart disease and other non-communicable diseases.
Al-Duwairi underlined the great impact of the governmental,
non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations and firms'
cooperation with the Ministry of Health to better implement disease combatting
strategies and protect public health.
A non-communicable disease, or NCD, is a medical condition or illness,
which by definition is non-infectious and non-transmissible among people.
NCDs may be chronic diseases of long duration and slow progression, or they
may result in more rapid death such as some types of sudden stroke. They
include autoimmune diseases, heart disease, stroke, many cancers, asthma,
diabetes, chronic kidney disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease,
cataracts, and more. According to the World Health Organization (Who), the
NCDs kill more than 36 million people each year. (end)
shd.abd.ibi
KUNA 122148 Jan 14NNNN