The Jeddah Health Affairs Management has started specialized warning program against swine flu under the theme “National Program to resist Swine Flu.” The program, launched Saturday, involves all the recreation and other sites frequented by Saudis and expatriates alike. The new program has been adopted by the Ministry of Health and organized by Jeddah Health Affairs Management in cooperation with private sector. The Health Affairs Management completed printing of half a million awareness brochures in cooperation with private companies. “About 450,000 brochures have been distributed by primary health care department at Jeddah Health Affairs Management since the beginning of Ramadan,” said Dr. Sami Badawood, Director of Jeddah Health Affairs Management. Thousands of these awareness brochures have been distributed among pilgrims and other visitors at all the Kingdom's entry points. Besides, these brochures have also been distributed around big mosques and Iftar tents in Jeddah and the surrounding villages. To reach a large segment of the population, Jeddah Health Affairs Management has established six warning centers inside various malls which are normally crowded during Ramadan nights. “Almost all the malls are very crowded now because of Eid preparations as well as Umrah performers who are gathering gifts for their relatives in their home countries. That is why we are focusing our campaign on malls to reach all levels of the society,” added Badawood. “We are doing our best in taking preventive measures against swine flu. We still need government cooperation and support from media,” said Badawood.
