A NATIONAL campaign to promote health awareness and detect chronic diseases was launched yesterday.
Health Minister Dr Faisal Al Hamer gave the go-ahead for the initiative, being held under the theme ‘Protect Your Heart’.
Under-Secretary Dr Abdulhay Al Awadhi, assistant under-secretary for primary healthcare and public health Dr Mariam Al Jalahma and other officials attended.
The chronic and non-contagious diseases committee is organising the event, the first in the region.
“This is the biggest national campaign in Bahrain to promote early detection of cardiovascular diseases,” Dr Jalahma said.
It will include all work sites, starting with government departments before moving to private companies.
Health staff will measure the levels of diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure, carbon monoxide in smokers and calculate the body mass.
Medical teams will also hold consultancy sessions to promote healthy lifestyles.
“Cardiovascular and blood diseases are among the major causes of death in Bahrain,” Dr Al Jalahma said.
Citing 2008 figures, she said up to 15.7 per cent of people in Bahrain suffer from cardiovascular diseases.
A national survey in 2007 revealed alarming trends among Bahrainis.
About 20 per cent people in Bahrain smoke, 36pc suffer from obesity, 38.2pc have blood pressure, 14.3pc are diabetics and 40.6pc have high cholesterol levels, she said.
Gulf Daily