ShareBy Khaled Al-Abdulhadi
KUWAIT: The World Health Organization’s Kuwait country office hosted an award ceremony under the patronage and presence of Minister of Health Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi on Tuesday at UN House to award three winning students from Kuwait who took part in an international art competition titled ‘75 Years of Improving Public Health’. This campaign aimed to engage students aged 8 to 18 in creatively expressing their perspectives on global health and its significance. The competition witnessed great participation from all over the Eastern Mediterranean region, with the participation of 14 countries, including Kuwait.
The WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean received more than 2,000 entries, which reflects the passion and dedication of young minds in portraying global health challenges creatively. With the collaboration and support of the ministries of health and education, the number of winners reached 35, including students from Kuwait. Kuwait’s winners are Abdullah Al-Saffar from Imam Malik High School, Yusuf Ibrahim from Rifa Model School and Ali Al-Mutairi from Kaab bin Malik School.
“When WHO initiated this art competition, the aim was to explore the unique perspective of children and witness how they depict health through the power of art. We were astounded by the remarkable talent and creativity displayed by the young artists in Kuwait. Their artworks served as a testament to their understanding and awareness of crucial health-related issues that affect us all. They also serve as a reminder that the voices and visions of Kuwait’s youth hold great value in shaping the future of public health,” WHO Representative in Kuwait Dr Assad Hafeez said.
Dr Rihab Al-Wotayan, Director of International Health Relations at the Health Ministry, said: “We have celebrated the winners of the international art competition to connect art and health. WHO asked them to use art to express their views on the development of the medical field.” Wotayan said WHO judged the competition. “Upon notifying the health minister, he insisted on attending the ceremony. The creativity of the children was amazing, as they successfully utilized their imaginations to accurately represent the diligent nature of work in the medical field,” she added.
Serin Al-Ghussein, Communication Specialist at WHO, said: “We were happy to see the high participation from Kuwait, as we received over 100 submissions from both private and public schools. The WHO chose 35 participants from the Eastern Mediterranean region and 3 of them were from Kuwait.” She praised the role of the ministry in facilitating the campaign’s communication as well as its role in the ceremony, which was held under the patronage of the health minister.
Dr Awadhi extended his gratitude to everyone who contributed to this ceremony, as well as all individuals that play a role in contributing to enhancing healthcare in the country, as well as commending Kuwait’s wise leadership of HH the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al–Sabah, HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Nawaf Al-Sabah.
“I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this ceremony and all efforts aimed at promoting humanity in the field of health globally and regionally, and efforts aimed at improving the healthcare services provided in our beloved country,” Dr Awadhi said. Ali Hussein Dashti, representing the undersecretary of the ministry of education, said: “I am pleased and honored to be here today representing Education Ministry Undersecretary Osama Hussein Al-Sultan at this ceremony on the occasion the 75th anniversary of the World Health Organization. It is my pleasure on this occasion to commend the efforts exerted to initiate this art competition.”
