Dr. Lulwa Shurait, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health, participated in the work of the high -level meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on prevention of noncommunicable diseases and the promotion of mental health and well -being, which was held at the United Nations headquarters in New York, under the slogan: “Equity and integration: transforming life and ways of living by expressing the spirit of leadership and work in the field of non -communicable diseases and the promotion of psychological health and health safety”, in the presence of representatives of member states, representatives of community organizations Civil and the private sector, to discuss global health challenges related to the spread of noncommunicable diseases.
In her speech during the meeting, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health confirmed that the Kingdom of Bahrain’s keenness to promote health as a basic pillar of sustainable development and national priority. He explained that the Kingdom has worked to align its health policies with the recommendations issued by the United Nations General Assembly and the World Health Organization, reflecting its commitment to joint international work to meet health challenges.
Dr. Lulwah Shouter reviewed the leading national experience in this field, noting the establishment of the national team to combat chronic diseases in 2012 with the participation of various governmental, private and private sectors, to unify efforts, develop and implement national plans, enhance societal awareness, develop health legislation, and support scientific research. He explained that these efforts resulted in prominent achievements that included the expansion of early detection programs, the implementation of periodic national health surveys, the establishment of the National Cancer Registry, as well as the launch of initiatives to reduce obesity, the issuance of legislation organizing food marketing, and the imposition of taxes on desalinated drinks and tobacco products, as well as launching the national guidelines.
The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health also indicated that the Kingdom adopted the principle of health fairness as one of the pillars of its health policies, by providing prevention, diagnosis and treatment services to all members of society without exception, and integrating noncommunicable diseases and mental health services into the primary care system, in order to enhance totalitarianism and sustainability. Regarding mental health, the doctor reviewed the efforts made within the framework of the National Psychological Plan for Mental Health 2021-2025, by strengthening psychological support programs, developing infrastructure by establishing specialized hospitals and clinics, and building the capabilities of health cadres, as well as introducing psychotherapy services remotely.
The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health concluded its speech by emphasizing that confronting noncommunicable diseases and promoting mental health requires global solidarity based on the principles of fairness and integration, noting that bridging the gap in health care requires redirect health systems towards primary care, promoting sustainable financing, and building multi -sectors partnerships. It also renewed the Kingdom of Bahrain’s keenness to continue working with the international community to build more comprehensive, fair and sustainable health systems, ensuring a more healthy future for current and future generations.
