LOC14:19
11:19 GMT
KUWAIT, Feb 7 (KUNA) -- Community participation in environmental sanitation plays a vital role in raising awareness, reducing environmental risks and sending positive messages through responsible behaviour that enhances public health security, said Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi.
Dr. Al-Awadhi made the remarks in a press statement during the inauguration of an awareness pavilion organized by the Public Health Department at the Ministry of Health at Al-Mubarakiya Market, under the slogan "Prevention Is Better Than Control," as part of the Environmental Sanitation Campaign.
He noted that one of the main challenges facing environmental sanitation is the accumulation of construction debris and demolition waste, which often remains for long periods and leads to the spread of insects and rodents, stressing the need to combat these hazards to ensure a safe and healthy community.
During 2025, the Public Health Department carried out around 170,000 field inspection missions to control rodents in various locations, aiming to reduce the negative impact of environmental waste that contributes to the spread of insects and rodents, the minister added.
He affirmed that these efforts were conducted in response to reports submitted through the "Salem" application or via the hotline number 151.
In turn, Director of the Public Health Department Dr. Mona Al-Khabbaz said the pavilion aims to highlight the importance of environmental sanitation as an integrated system designed to protect public health by reducing environmental risks.
She added that the campaign focuses on waste safety, noting that some individuals dispose of garbage and waste on sidewalks and open areas near homes, or leave food leftovers to feed animals, creating environments that encourage the spread of insects and rodents and pose health risks to the community.
Meanwhile, Head of the Medical Insect and Rodent Control Section, Director of the Rodent Control Project and Deputy Chair of the Environmental Sanitation Committee Dr. Fatima Al-Darwish said environmental sanitation is a culture and a shared responsibility between official bodies, the community and individuals.
The concept is based on rationalizing resource consumption, reducing pollution, promoting recycling and protecting human health, she added.
Dr. Al-Darwish emphasized that a healthy environment is the foundation of sustainable development, a prosperous economy and a resilient society. (end)
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