Participants sort recyclable materials during the Healthy City recycling initiative in Dahiyat Abdullah Al Salem. – Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat
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Turkish Embassy joins Kuwait’s Healthy City initiative to promote recycling, sustainability
KUWAIT: The Turkish Embassy in Kuwait took part in a community recycling event on Monday, held under the Healthy City Project in partnership with the Asimah Governorate and Dahiyat Abdullah Al Salem. The initiative aims to raise environmental awareness and foster a culture of sustainable living in Kuwaiti neighborhoods.
Turkish Ambassador to Kuwait Tuba Nur Sönmez said the Embassy’s participation reflects a broader commitment to supporting local initiatives and contributing positively to the host society. “We want to be an active and responsible part of the society we live in. Kuwait is a unique example of a society that takes environmental responsibility seriously,” she said. “From neighborhoods to local associations — even housewives — people are doing their part to care for the environment.”
Sönmez expressed appreciation to the organizers for introducing the Embassy to the neighborhood’s recycling facility and the larger effort coordinated by the Dahiyat Abdullah Al Salem Healthy City coalition. “This initiative is not just about recycling; it’s about a mindset of responsibility,” she said. “We were proud to join hands with the Governorate and the Healthy City team to show our support to those already working hard to protect the environment.”
The ambassador highlighted the importance of practicing the full “3Rs” of sustainability — Reduce, Reuse, Recycle — starting with individual awareness and daily habits. “Recycling is just the third step. First, we must reduce what we consume — especially plastics, glass, metals and paper. Then we need to reuse whatever we can before we even think of recycling,” she explained. “Plastic waste in particular is a growing challenge in Kuwait. We must all take this seriously — not just for today, but for the generations to come.”
She stressed that environmental responsibility must start at home and be taught early, especially in schools. “It begins with individuals — teaching children from a young age how to care for the environment. But it also requires institutional support, and we’re grateful to see that local authorities and the Healthy City Coalition are playing an active role.” The ambassador also linked these values to Turkey’s foreign policy and its domestic efforts in environmental leadership. “In Turkey, we grow up learning to respect and protect the environment. It’s part of how we live — and also how we engage globally,” she said.
She added that the Turkish Embassy in Kuwait practices waste separation and recycling internally and will now contribute monthly to the Healthy City initiative by delivering its sorted waste for proper reuse and recycling. “We’re happy to now be part of this local cycle of responsibility. From now on, we will bring our recyclable materials every month to contribute to the community effort,” she said. The ambassador encouraged others in Kuwait’s diplomatic and expatriate communities to join the movement.
“I invite every embassy and every foreign resident in Kuwait to become part of this important journey. Together, we can make a real difference.” The Healthy City Project is a long-term initiative under Kuwait’s Ministry of Health and local municipalities to promote healthy, sustainable urban environments. Dahiyat Abdullah Al Salem is one of Kuwait’s pioneering neighborhoods recognized for community-led environmental and public health programs.
KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Ministry of Health has officially launched its new First Responder fleet, a nationwide project aimed at delivering faster emergency medical care—especially during critical moments where rapid intervention can mean the difference between life and death.
Unveiled on Wednesday, the project is a joint initiative between the ministry’s Emergency Medical Department and the General Secretariat of Endowments. “This is not just an operational upgrade or logistical support—it’s a direct extension of our national health vision, which places a strong emphasis on medical readiness,” said Minister of Health Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi at the launch event.
Designed to serve both remote and densely populated areas, the project aims to bring early resuscitation and immediate medical treatment to patients before they even reach the hospital. Dr Al-Awadhi explained that the goal is to “enhance the speed and quality of emergency response across the country, protect lives, and reduce complications.”
He added that the fleet of 28 specially equipped vehicles will be distributed strategically across Kuwait based on population density, service coverage, and response priorities. This setup, he said, will be “continuously evaluated and updated to maintain the highest operational efficiency.”
Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi honors Nasser Al-Khader, Director of the Endowment Projects Department at the General Secretariat of Endowments, for the secretariat’s contribution to the fleet.
Minister of Health Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi
Each vehicle in the fleet is staffed by trained emergency technicians and paramedics who are required to pass both Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) courses. According to Assistant Undersecretary for Medical Support Services Dr Abdullah Al-Faras, the vehicles come fully stocked with resuscitation equipment, oxygen tanks, advanced respiratory devices, IV fluids, essential emergency medications, and tools to stabilize fractures and spinal injuries.
“When a call is received by the central operations room, the nearest First Responder vehicle is dispatched,” Dr Al-Faras explained. “The field teams then conduct an immediate assessment and send a report from the scene, followed by on-site care until backup arrives or the patient is transported to the hospital.”
The project is funded through the Waqf Healthcare Fund, part of the General Secretariat of Endowments. Nasser Al-Khader, Director of the Endowment Projects Department at the General Secretariat of Endowments, speaking on behalf of the Secretary-General, praised the collaboration with government bodies to support national development goals.
He highlighted the role of donors whose endowments continue to fund projects that serve the public good, saying, “This initiative reflects our commitment to using Waqf resources in line with donors’ wishes and Islamic legal guidelines.” — KUNA
KUWAIT: The National Cancer Awareness Campaign (CAN) launched the Haidu‑CAN Olympic Sports Tournament Wednesday evening at Hatrick Stadium in Khaitan. Youth teams from across the country are taking part in this event, which aims to promote healthy lifestyles and highlight the role of sport in disease prevention—particularly cancer.
Dr Hessa Majid Al‑Shaheen, a member of CAN’s board of directors, explained that the tournament offers an “unconventional” path to health education by blending competitive sports with practical prevention messages. “Sport is not a luxury,” she said, “but an effective means of prevention—and a gateway to a healthier, more informed society.”
According to Al‑Shaheen, medical research shows that at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity can reduce the risk of certain cancers—such as colon and breast—by up to 30–40 percent. Regular exercise also plays a crucial role in preventing heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, while boosting mental health and alleviating stress and anxiety.
KUWAIT: (From left) Dr Sanaa Al-Asfour, Dr Iman Al-Shimmari, Dr Hessa Al-Shaheen, Saad Al-Houti, and Abdullah Al-Saleh are seen at the launch of the Haidu‑CAN Olympic Sports Tournament.
The Haidu‑CAN initiative aims to sustain young people’s engagement in sports through interactive activities that pair athletic competition with awareness workshops. In addition to tournament matches, the program features educational sessions and support initiatives for cancer survivors.
Abdullah Al‑Saleh, Director of the Haidu‑CAN Olympics, described the event as “a unique model” that moves beyond traditional awareness campaigns. “We’re delivering health messages in a way that resonates with youth—through experience and participation rather than indoctrination,” he said. This tournament is one of several activities organized by CAN’s sports team to translate theoretical health advice into tangible, everyday practices and foster long‑term healthy habits.
Guest of honor Captain Saad Al‑Houti—a former Kuwaiti national footballer—opened the tournament with a motivational address. “Sport is a message before it is a result,” he told participants, praising CAN’s efforts to empower youth as ambassadors of prevention. “Such initiatives strengthen the role of sports in community building and give young people the chance to drive positive change.”
The tournament’s opening night drew a large, enthusiastic crowd. Over the coming days, the Haidu‑CAN Olympics will continue with mini‑tournaments, educational meetings and health‑focused competitions designed especially for young athletes.
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