DOHA, Nov 6 (KUNA) -- The State of Kuwait Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs Dr. Amthal Al-Huwaila on Thursday affirmed that Kuwait attaches great importance to the family as the nucleus of society and the focus of social development.
This came in during her participation in a side event titled "Circle of Care: Families Supporting the Young, the Elderly and People with Disabilities," organized by the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Center for Islamic Countries (SESRIC) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Ankara, on the sidelines of the Second World Summit for Social Development held in Doha, Qatar.
Al-Huwaila stressed that supporting and empowering families to encompass all its members represents a national priority that reflects the state's commitment to the humanitarian and social approach established by the Kuwaiti Constitution.
She expressed her appreciation for the invitation in such event that sheds the light on the importance of supporting families in containing their members and maintaining their cohesion despite increasing economic and social challenges.
She stressed that the family has always been and remains the cornerstone of the human and social welfare system, as it is the circle from which life begins and in which the values of giving, solidarity, and compassion are rooted.
"Talking about families that include young children, the elderly, and people with disabilities is talking about an integrated model of mutual care where each individual becomes part of an indispensable human and social support network," said Al-Huwaila.
"These families face multiple challenges such as the pressures of daily life, the difficulties of balancing work and childcare, and the need for integrated community services. This makes it essential to adopt public policies that support families and provide them with daycare services, family leave, and psychological and social support to alleviate their burdens and enhance their resilience and ability to persevere," she noted.
She pointed out that the Kuwaiti Constitution highlighted the importance of the family in Articles 9 and 10, stipulating that the family is the foundation of society, based on religion, morality, and love of country, and that the state is responsible for the care and protection of the young from neglect, abuse, and exploitation.
Al-Huwaila reviewed the most prominent services provided in Kuwait, explaining that childcare services include health, educational, social, and recreational care, in addition to maternal and child care programs from birth, monitoring growth and development, and early intervention services for children with special needs, which include medical, psychological, and social care, family support programs, and helplines and protection, in addition to the free psychological and social services provided by NGOs and government centers, there are also social allowances and financial aid that alleviate the economic burdens on families.
As for the elderly services, Al-Huwaila said that they include home and day care services supervised by specialists, psychological and social support, home medical visits, nursing services, and post-operative rehabilitation which allows families to care for their elderly with dignity and independence without the need for institutional care, in addition to the "Priority" card initiative that facilitates their access to government services and grants them discounts on medical devices and supplies.
Regarding services for people with disabilities, Al-Huwaila said "Kuwait provides monthly financial allowances and support in housing, healthcare, education, rehabilitation, and employment, along with administrative facilities such as exemption from some fees and taxes related to assistive devices and adapted vehicles, and the provision of physiotherapy and home care services for cases that require them." In her conclusion, Al-Huwaila expressed her appreciation for the efforts made in organizing this important event, stressing that the family remains the broadest and closest circle of care, embracing the vulnerable, cultivating strength, and building generations capable of giving and participating in social development.
She also expressed her hope that this event help reinforce regional and international cooperation and expertise exchange to enhance families' abilities to provide for their members and fulfill their roles in society. (end) sss.ams.bb