KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Ministry of Health has conducted 12,800 inspection visits at multiple areas across the country to monitor and address the environmental and health risks associated with improper waste disposal, particularly the spread of insects and rodents, Minister of Health Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi announced on Saturday. Speaking during a public awareness event titled “Prevention is Better than Control”, part of the national Environmental Sanitation Campaign, Al-Awadhi said the effort reflects a “new vision and approach” to tackling an old challenge. “Waste disposal has always been a challenge,” said the minister, “but today the real challenge is environmental sanitation — identifying and addressing environmental imbalances that lead to the spread of diseases and epidemics.”

He emphasized that waste management is not just the responsibility of government bodies but a shared social responsibility. “All types of waste — whether on farms or construction sites — attract insects and rodents and are directly linked to the spread of many diseases,” he warned. Al-Awadhi noted that the ministry has a specialized department for pest and rodent control and urged residents to report any hazardous waste through the ministry’s hotline (151, then press 6). He also revealed ongoing integration with the Sahel app, a unified government platform, to streamline environmental reporting and intervention.

Random waste disposal

Dr Fahad Al-Ghamlas, Director of Public Health at the Ministry of Health, told KUNA the campaign extends beyond 2025 and is being carried out in coordination with several government agencies, including Kuwait Municipality, the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources, the Environment Public Authority, and the Ministries of Public Works and Interior. “The campaign highlights how reckless human interventions can harm the environment, alter its natural balance, and turn it into a breeding ground for disease-carrying insects,” Al-Ghamlas said. “Our motto remains: Prevention is better than control.”

Al-Ghamlas explained that many of the problems stem from random waste disposal, including food, agricultural, and construction debris, along with malfunctioning sewage systems and sealed spaces that become hotbeds for pests. He said teams from the Ministry’s Public Health Department have been conducting daily field inspections across Kuwait to identify these environmental risks. “These exploratory missions generate photos and reports which are submitted to ministry officials and shared with other relevant bodies,” he said.

The campaign also involves the Environmental Sanitation Committee, which analyzes pest proliferation indicators and develops execution plans to combat infestations. The committee ensures that all concerned parties carry out their roles effectively while reviewing and evaluating pest control methods. The ministry encourages all residents to actively participate in supporting this nationwide initiative to build a healthier and more sustainable Kuwait. — KUNA