H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser witnessing the celebration of the 5th anniversary of the health campaign Sahtak Awalan.
In a major initiative to promote awareness about healthy food among students, all Independent elementary schools in the country will have greenhouses to grow vegetables by the end of this year, it was disclosed yesterday during the fifth anniversary of ‘Sahtak Awalan: Your Health First’, the flagship health campaign of Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar.
The fifth anniversary of ‘Sahtak Awalan: Your Health First’ was celebrated in the presence of H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser and other dignitaries at the Qatar National Convention Center. The event showcased the campaign, from its inception to its future plans to help the next generation stay healthy.
The greebhouse project will eventually reach all 193 Independent schools in the country, during the next five years. Complimenting this initative, 10 Independent school canteens will soon introduce healthy menu ahead of a plan to implement it in all schools.
Sahtak Awalan: Your Health First was launched in 2012 in association with the Ministry of Public Health to encourage people to lead healthy lives and transform unhealthy behaviours into healthy ones.
‘Greenhouse,’ an initiative of Your Health First, has delivered greenhouses to 82 independent elementary schools, after the initilal launch of the campaign in 15 schools. It will be extended to the remaining eight elementary schools by end of the year.
“We have delivered seeds and soil and taught thousands of children about sustainability, how to grow their own fruit and vegetables and the benefits of eating them. Teachers report that the change in attitudes has been striking, with young children more open to eating fruit and vegetables and more knowledgeable about the benefits,” said Dr Javaid Sheikh, Dean of WCM-Q.
Upon success of the initiative, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education has asked Your Health First to introduce the Greenhouse project to all 193 Independent schools in Qatar.
Your Health First campaign’s next five year plan will be built up on the success of its first phase.
“Our objective is nothing less than transforming the health of our nation, within one generation. And this celebration is just recognition of the first phase and the next phase starts today (yesterday) and then during the third phase you will see real transformation,” said Dr Sheikh.
Sahtak Awalan: Your Health First initiative is inclusive and is aimed at everyone: young and old, nationals and expatriates, although there is a focus on youth.
“The health of our young people is paramount to the future of our nation. They will one day help lead Qatar and we ought to ensure they are healthy and that they are able to live up to their full potential. Qatar is a nation that is a vanguard for productive change and with the support of Qatar Foundation, that is exactly what Your Health First is doing – helping children and families make a positive change that has an emphatic impact on their lives,” said H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, as Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation. “Together, we have engaged with thousands of young people and used innovative programs to ensure they understand the value of nutrition, exercise and good health and their role in preventing disease in later life,” she added.
As part of its activities Your Health First is also likely to introduce ‘healthy canteens’ to all schools in due course of time.
The Ministry of Public Health and Ministry of Education and Higher Education has requested to introduce the concept to ten more public elementary schools in Qatar ahead of a nationwide roll out. Your Health First’s Yalla Natural initiative was launched in 2015 and has appeared at numerous public events and taken its message about eating fresh, organic food to more than 150,000 people. A total of 13,000 people have taken part in the Color Run since 2015, which was brought to Qatar by Your Health First . The next event will be held in 2017. Your Health First’s social media campaign has reached people across Qatar and the MENA region. The campaign at present has more than 125,000 followers on Facebook, 4,000 on Twitter and 1,500 on Instagram. In addition, the Your Health First YouTube channel has had more than 500,000 views.
