Manama: Lieutenant General Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Supreme Council of Health (SCH), inaugurated the "Early Detection Saves Lives" event, hosted by the Primary Healthcare Centres at The Avenues Mall. The ceremony was attended by Dr. Jalila bint Al Sayed Jawad Hassan, Minister of Health, alongside officials, healthcare professionals, and representatives from the health sector.
According to Bahrain News Agency, this initiative is part of ongoing efforts by the National Taskforce for Non-Communicable Diseases, which plays a central role in developing national strategies and plans for early diagnosis and the reduction of these diseases and their impact on public health. The event aims to raise community health awareness and encourage targeted groups to undergo regular health screenings, thereby facilitating early detection and enhancing the effectiveness of treatment and prevention.
During the inauguration, the SCH Chairman commended the concerted efforts of the health sector in delivering quality programmes that bolster health awareness across all segments of society. He emphasised that the expansion of this national programme reflects the Kingdom of Bahrain's commitment to advancing public health through support for early diagnosis initiatives and the intensification of awareness and field campaigns to combat non-communicable diseases, notably colorectal cancer, one of the most prevalent forms of cancer.
He further highlighted the Supreme Council of Health's unwavering support for initiatives aimed at the early detection of chronic diseases, in line with the National Health Plan (2016 - 2025), Bahrain Economic Vision 2030, and national strategies on non-communicable diseases and their prevention. He stressed that such programmes are fundamental pillars in building a sustainable healthcare system based on efficiency, quality, prevention, and early treatment.
For her part, Dr. Jalila bint Al Sayed Jawad Hassan, Minister of Health, affirmed that this national programme is an extension of the Kingdom's ongoing efforts in the early diagnosis of colorectal cancer and forms part of an integrated system designed to enhance community awareness and provide advanced diagnostic and treatment services in collaboration with relevant partners. She urged the public to take advantage of preventive, diagnostic, and early detection services and to actively engage in these initiatives. The minister highlighted that early screening is a practical step towards safeguarding individual and community health and demonstrates Bahrain's commitment to developing a proactive, high-quality healthcare system.
Dr. Ijlal Faisal Al Alawi, Chief Executive Officer of the Primary Healthcare Centres, also emphasised that this initiative marks a significant milestone in prevention and early detection efforts. She noted that the introduction of the Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) is part of the centres' drive to expand cancer prevention and early detection programmes, with this test recognised as a highly accurate tool for identifying potential colorectal cancer cases.
She explained that the three-day launch of the initiative at The Avenues Mall is intended to reinforce primary prevention concepts by promoting healthy lifestyles and providing direct medical consultations, while also underscoring the importance of early detection as a key factor in improving recovery rates and reducing mortality associated with colorectal cancer.