'Friends of Hearts' marathon aims to combat obesity-related diseases

The Ministry of Health's role is not only based on treating patients, but also on raising people's awareness about health problems, Minister Dr. Ali Al-Obaidi said.
While inaugurating the sixth marathon of "Friends of Hearts" organized on Saturday by the Chest Diseases Hospital, Al-Obaidi noted that the event is part of the ministry's program to educate people about important health issues.
He said that the marathon aims at strengthening relations between patients and staff at the ministry, which is tasked with offering better services for people.
The minister added that such activities promote the concept of overall heath, which includes many axes that guarantee good health, noting the ministry seeks to enhance also the concept of health culture among citizens.
Organizing health exhibition on the sidelines of the marathon comes in line with the ministry's strategy toward the prevention of breast cancer and non-communicable diseases, he said.
For his part, Director of Chest Diseases Hospital Dr. Nader Al-Awadhi said that the marathon underlines the significance of sports.
He voiced his gratitude to Minister Al-Obaidi and the organizing committee's members for their effort and support to such events.
Meanwhile, Deputy Director of hospital Dr. Hani Al-Mutairi said that the event was considered an opportunity to raise people's awareness on risks of heart diseases and to give them tips for a healthy diet.
Source: KUNA