‘New mental health law stresses Kuwait healthcare development’

Migratory birds special edition released

KUWAIT CITY, March 14, (KUNA): The newly approved mental health law in Kuwait will contribute to the development of the country’s healthcare, said a Health Ministry official Thursday.

Speaking at the opening of Middle East Psychological Association’s (MEPA) 3rd annual conference and expo, on march 14-16, undersecretary at the Health Ministry Dr Mustafa Redha indicated that the parliament-approved mental health legislation aimed at ensuring the rights of patients in getting adequate treatment without discrimination or alienation. On the conference, held under the patronage of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Dr Redha added that the law was in line with international regulations concerning mental health treatment. Delivering her input, Founder of ASAP Initiative For Mental Health Awareness Sheikha Majda AlSabah affirmed that Kuwait always supported efforts to elevate healthcare services regionally and internationally, saying that the current positive developments will help in changing the misconceptions connected with mental health and its treatments On her part, MEPA’s President Dr Joanne Hands commended Kuwait’s continuous support towards the association, stressing that the event will help promote positive practices connected with mental health treatments and image. Mental health and medical experts from the American Psychological Association (APA) and others will partake in workshops, lectures, and deliver speeches during the course of the event. Kuwait Environment Public Authority (EPA) and Kuwait Environment Protection Authority (KEPA) have launched, in coordination with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), a special edition about migratory birds, marking the World Wildlife Day. The special publication has been released, simultaneously with the launch of a campaign, called “Let it Pass,” alluding to migratory birds that pass through Kuwait during certain seasons throughout the year. The society Secretary General, Jenan Bahzad, said in a statement on Thursday that the society and the authorities had adopted a special publication titled “Let it fly Peacefully,” concerning birds in Lebanon, followed with the issuance of the Kuwaiti edition. The Kuwaiti edition contains elaborate information about birds species, particularly those hosted by Kuwait, others that migrate across the country in the spring and fall.