Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — The youth in the GCC constitute a majority of the population with health issues that need to be discussed and addressed. This was revealed by Dr. Sami Badawood, director general of the Jeddah Directorate of Health Affairs. Dr. Badawood said this was the impetus behind the decision to hold a conference addressing the wrong habits of the youth related to their health, eating habits and physical activities. The parents' role in providing a healthy environment to keep their children away from smoking and drug addiction will also be discussed. Dr. Badawood added that by the end of the conference, they would announce a strategy approved by the World Health Organization and GCC countries. This would be implemented to ensure the wellness of young age groups across the GCC. The strategy will include organizing awareness campaigns in schools and malls, with the participation of doctors from the Ministry of Health, to introduce the young to the physiological changes that they undergo. Dr. Esam Al-Ghamdi, general manager of the health centers and head of the committee in charge of organizing the conference, said they have studied the condition of young groups and found that there was a need to find solutions to the groups' health issues. He said they have made plans reviewed by the national committee at the Ministry of Health. These plans suggested combating wrong health practices such as bad eating habits, lack of physical activity, and depression. They are targeting the age group between 10 and 25. Dr. Al-Ghamdi said the conference will discuss paperwork provided by GCC countries and aim to find solutions. "What makes this conference special is that we are engaging the youth and letting them direct each other," he said. First held in Bahrain and Kuwait and now in Jeddah, the GCC conference was the third of its kind specifically addressing teenagers and youth. It was organized by the executive office of the Council of Health Ministers in GCC, the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, along with the Arab Gulf Program for UN Development Organizations, and the General Health College. The conference was inaugurated by Prince Misha'l Bin Majid, Governor of Jeddah, on April 8 and will last for three days. It will also touch upon the role of the government, private sector, social associations as well as regional and international organizations in preserving the health of the youth. — SG
