KUWAIT: Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi on Thursday launched the 10th edition of the annual national blood donation campaign, coinciding with the 35th anniversary of the brutal Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.

Speaking at the launch, Al-Awadhi said the three-days campaign honors the sacrifices of Kuwait’s martyrs and reflects national unity across government, military, and civil society sectors. He urged citizens and residents to donate blood at all Ministry of Health centers, including the Central Blood Bank in Jabriya, noting that over 100 blood bags were collected in the first two hours of the campaign.

Assistant Director General of the General Directorate of Security Relations and Media at the Ministry of Interior, Colonel Yousef Mirshed affirmed the ministry’s continued support for such initiatives, emphasizing their humanitarian and social dimensions alongside security duties.

Director of Blood Transfusion Services Dr. Reem Al-Roudhan said the campaign has been running for a decade to promote voluntary donation and save lives. Last year, about 95,000 units were collected, with a 4 percent annual increase. She pointed to the effective participation of the military corps, represented by the Ministries of Defense, Interior and the National Guard, in addition to civil society institutions and private sectors. — KUNA

KUWAIT: With nearly 3 million migrant workers living in Kuwait, the government is reviewing its labor and residency laws to strengthen protections and align with global standards, senior officials said Wednesday on the occasion of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

Ambassador Sheikha Jawaher Ibrahim Al-Duaij Al-Sabah, Assistant Foreign Minister for Human Rights Affairs, said Kuwait is reviewing several key laws — including those governing residency, private sector labor, domestic work and anti-trafficking — to better align with international standards.

“The number of migrant workers in Kuwait is estimated at around 2.95 million, which calls for increased public awareness, for employers to uphold their legal and ethical responsibilities, and for the state to play its role in providing a safe work environment and ensuring legal protection,” she said.

Sheikha Jawaher said Kuwait’s approach to combatting human trafficking includes strengthening legislation and improving coordination through the Permanent National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling. The committee brings together government entities, with the Foreign Ministry playing an active role.

She also highlighted Kuwait’s cooperation with civil society organizations and international partners such as the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the International Labour Organization (ILO) in an effort to share expertise and build national capacity.

Separately, Minister of Justice and head of the national anti-trafficking committee Nasser Al-Sumait said Kuwait’s response to trafficking must be a continuous institutional effort. “Protecting people from trafficking is no longer a choice, it’s a national responsibility,” he told KUNA.

He said Kuwait’s strategy balances prevention, legislation, and victim care, rooted in transparency and accountability, while adapting to modern digital challenges. Public awareness, he added, remains the “first line of defense.” Kuwait established the anti-trafficking committee in 2018 with a vision of creating a society free of trafficking and migrant smuggling. The United Nations observes July 30 each year to raise awareness about human trafficking and support victims’ rights. — KUNA

KUWAIT: With soaring summer temperatures driving families to pools and beaches, health and safety officials are urging increased vigilance against a rare but potentially fatal condition known as “dry drowning” — a silent and delayed danger that can occur even after a child has left the water. Speaking to KUNA, Director of the Emergency Medical Services Department at the Ministry of Health Dr Ahmad Al-Shatti explained that dry drowning is a rare condition in which a small amount of water enters the airway, triggering spasms in the vocal cords that can block airflow. If left untreated, the condition can lead to severe respiratory distress or even death.

“Children under the age of five are particularly vulnerable due to their narrower airways and limited breath control,” Dr Al-Shatti said, noting that children with asthma or previous respiratory issues are at heightened risk. He warned that symptoms can appear minutes or even hours after water exposure and may include difficulty breathing, persistent coughing, pale or bluish skin, fatigue, or confusion. “These signs must not be ignored,” he stressed, urging parents to seek immediate medical attention if any such symptoms develop after swimming or water play. “Close observation of children after they leave the water is crucial, even if they seem fine at first.”

Dr Al-Shatti added that what makes dry drowning particularly dangerous is the delayed onset of symptoms, which may emerge after the child has already returned home. He emphasized the importance of recognizing even subtle signs and acting quickly to prevent serious complications. Echoing this concern, Director of Public Relations and Media at the General Fire Force, Brigadier Mohammad Al-Ghareeb, described dry drowning as a rare but dangerous condition that can occur when a small amount of water remains in a child’s airway after swimming.

“The danger lies in the fact that symptoms may not appear immediately,” he said, noting that leftover water can cause inflammation or airway obstruction later on. Brig Al-Ghareeb urged parents, guardians, and pool supervisors to monitor children for ongoing coughing, labored breathing, or unusual tiredness after swimming. “Prevention begins with awareness and constant supervision,” he said, advising against water swallowing and swimming when fatigued or experiencing breathing difficulties.

He also stressed the importance of having trained rescue personnel and proper emergency equipment at swimming facilities. The General Fire Force, he noted, is continuing its “Safe Summer” campaign to raise awareness about drowning hazards, including dry and secondary drowning. He urged the public to act swiftly in emergencies by calling the emergency hotline 112. Both health and civil defense officials reiterated the need for public awareness, responsible supervision, and early intervention to protect children from water-related dangers this summer. – KUNA