A MAJOR campaign to spread awareness about healthy lifestyles will take place during next week’s Ashoora festival.
A so-called “health bus” will tour the country to carry out diabetes and blood pressure checks and give first-aid to people of all faiths.
“We want to promote the culture of self-care and aim to target a larger group during Ashoora,” said Health Ministry health education director Dr Amal Al Jowder, who came up with the idea.
She said the health bus would also complement the ministry’s special Ashoora campaign being held under the theme My Health, My Responsibility.
Hundreds will take part in processions in Manama and across the country as part of the festival, which marks the death of Imam Hussain, grandson of Prophet Mohammed.
Dr Al Jowder said discussions were still taking place about exactly where the bus will go or be present.
“We will avoid crowded areas in Manama, but will be present in other locations in Isa Town and Sanabis,” she said.
“The purpose is to have easy access to all nationals and give them health tips.”
The health bus initiative was launched in February after Dr Al Jowder became the first Arab woman to receive the World Health Organisation’s Sasakawa Health prize for 2009.
She was awarded the annual prize for “outstanding innovative work in health development” for the last 25 years by the Japan-based Sasakawa Memorial Health Foundation.
Dr Al Jowder was presented a $30,000 (BD11,340) cash prize, which she used to pay for the health bus.
The vehicle, which has already toured villages and remote areas, has a driver and three volunteers to help carry out its activities.
Meanwhile, health ministry officials conducted a meeting yesterday to discuss their plans for Ashoora.
A team of doctors, nurses, food inspectors and paramedics will work round-the-clock to provide health care to participants.
“Teams will be on standby in Manama during Ashoora to provide health care to people,” said head of the Ashoora medical committee Dr Naema Isa Sabt.
“A separate clinic to handle emergency cases will be set up in addition to a general clinic to handle normal cases.”
She said four ambulances would be stationed in Manama to take serious cases to Salmaniya Medical Complex.
Working hours at the Jidhafs Health Centre would also be extended during this period to help citizens.
“We are currently evaluating all our strategies and will announce other details by next week,” said Dr Sabt.
Health officials will also supervise the Imam Hussain Campaign for Blood Donation at the Naim Health Centre, for the 12th consecutive year.
SANDEEP SINGH
Gulf Daily