Saeed Al Khotani Saudi Gazette RIYADH — The Ministry of Health (MoH) will soon collaborate with the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to conduct health awareness campaigns in the Kingdom, according to an announcement made by Deputy Health Minister for Public Health Ziad Maimish, during a press conference. Maimish also spoke about the upcoming International Conference on Healthy Lifestyles and Non-communicable Diseases (NCD) in the Arab World and the Middle East, which is scheduled to take place in Riyadh from September 10 – 12 under the auspices of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. “The collaboration with the global football organization will help us in targeting various segments of the society, especially the youth, as they are influenced by their favorite football players from around the world," Maimish said, adding that around 12 health ministers along with international experts in NCD will attend the conference. Maimish said that for the first time the Arab world will address NCD and lifestyle, and he hopes that the conference will result in developing and embracing a common strategy and national action plan to fight NCD in Arab states. According to various reports and studies, most Arab countries, especially the Kingdom which is ranked the highest, are worst hit by NCD diseases like diabetes, obesity, and cholestrol, smoking, among many others. Maimish hopes the strategies formulated at the conference will eradicate NCD. Many topics related to NCD will be tackled by over 60 national and international experts at the three-day conference – including evaluation of national programs for prevention of such diseases, tobacco control, diet and eating behaviors, physical activity, health and lifestyle relationship, along with introducing NCD programs in the primary healthcare system.
