Saudi health minister leads Walk 30 initiative at Sports Boulevard
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel led a walk at Riyadh's Sports Boulevard on Saturday to kick off the Walk 30 public health initiative.
Al-Jalajel told Arab News that one of the aims of the program is to increase activity among the Kingdom's population, with the goal of at least 150 minutes each week.
Walk 30 aims to address the health challenge of physical inactivity, which currently affects over 80 percent of people.
The campaign encourages a simple, but effective, goal: Walk 30 minutes per day, or 150 minutes per week, to achieve long-term behavioral change, and become healthier and more active.
'Walk 30, in its fifth season, is considered a pillar of the health and quality of life transformations,' Al-Jalajel said.
The push for healthier lifestyles is bearing fruit, with 58.5 percent of adults now engaging in at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week, above the 2024 target. Among children and adolescents, 18.7 percent meet the daily 60-minute activity recommendation.
These efforts have contributed to a rise in average life expectancy, which now stands at 78.8 years, edging closer to the Vision 2030 target of 80 years.
'I'm really glad to see Walk 30 today achieving a new record,' Al-Jalajel said.
He said that walking, even for 30 minutes a day, enhances one's health and can lower the risk of chronic illnesses, including heartburn by 30 percent and strokes by 40 percent.
With the approach of summer and higher temperatures, the minister advised people to walk in the evenings, when it is cooler, and to stay hydrated and shaded.
He also highlighted the Healthy Mall program, which encourages people to take exercise in shopping malls.
The program began in 2019, and takes place in several locations across the Kingdom.
Malls have been transformed into places where members of the community can comfortably walk, featuring stations for bottled drinking water and restaurants serving healthy meals.
Al-Jalajel said: 'We think that Walk 30 is something that can be replicated in different countries. Last season we had Dr. Tedros (Adhanom Ghebreyesus), director-general of WHO, participating with us, and they have a walking program, too.
'We have multiple initiatives for advancing Walk 30 in the wintertime, in the summertime, and we can participate with different countries on that,' he said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Saudi Gazette
6 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Health Ministry urges pilgrims not to expose to heat stress
Saudi Gazette report MINA — As pilgrims are preparing to move to Mina, to mark the beginning of the annual pilgrimage of Hajj, the Ministry of Health has intensified its comprehensive field and awareness initiatives to safeguard pilgrims' health and prevent heat stress. This effort aligns with Vision 2030's Health Sector Transformation Program and the Pilgrim Experience Program that aimed for a safe and healthy Hajj. Preventing heat-related illnesses is a top priority of the ministry. It urged pilgrims to use umbrellas, drink water regularly, even if they are not thirsty, and wear light-colored, lightweight clothing. Symptoms of heat stress include headache, dizziness, excessive sweating, thirst, and nausea. Upon noticing these, pilgrims should immediately move to a shaded area, cool down with water, and drink plenty of fluids. Pilgrims are advised to avoid direct sun exposure between 10 am and 4 pm, refrain from walking on hot surfaces, and exercise caution when engaging in strenuous activities, such as climbing mountains, on the Day of Arafat, which can increase the risk of heat stress. The ministry affirmed that the health sector is highly prepared, with over 34 equipped field health units strategically distributed across the holy sites. These units provide urgent medical care and rapid response for heat stress cases, enhancing pilgrim safety. The ministry has also launched a health awareness kit, available in eight languages, offering comprehensive health guidelines. Through its advanced field system and qualified medical personnel, the Ministry of Health continues its extensive efforts to provide comprehensive health and preventive services, promoting safety and ensuring pilgrims can perform their rituals with ease and tranquility in a healthy environment.
Leaders
8 hours ago
- Leaders
Jeddah Hosts Drama Therapy Workshop on Power of Self-Expression
Cinema Al-Balad in Jeddah has recently hosted an inspiring drama therapy workshop to highlight the role of drama therapy in creative work and even in daily life, according to Arab News. Themed 'In drama we find the power to express, and in expression we find the power to heal,' the workshop was organized in collaboration with both Lujain Faqerah, senior psychologist and creative arts supervisor, and Abdul Al-Shareef, actor and screenwriter. How Can Drama Support Healing? During the event, the attendees had an interesting opportunity to explore how drama can be a source of support for emotional awareness, healing as well as connection. 'Drama is integrated naturally in our daily responses and situations. In a therapeutic setting, it helps us observe these interactions and reflect on a deeper level of our unconscious body gestures and movements that might reveal a lot about our personalities,' Faqerah said. Through the participation of therapists, creatives and others, the workshop focused on how the therapeutic techniques that depend on drama can help people connect with unconscious behaviors. Meanwhile, such techniques also boost self-expression and promote several skills such as acting and screenwriting. Interestingly, Faqerah noted that drama therapy is not about the performance; it is mainly about the expression that truly exists in emotions, memories, or internal conflicts. 'The word drama has a negative connotation to the extent that people reject it before trying. Drama therapy does not depend on acting skills or previous experience, but more on your self-expression and the challenges you experience,' she added. Meanwhile, Al-Shareef illustrated that many people may think that drama therapy is only for artists, but it is not. It is a tool that help people learn several practices to enhance the quality of their lives. Related Topics: Saudi Cinema Revenues Hit SR845.6 Million in 2024 Saudi Film Festival Highlights Similarities between Saudi, Japanese Cinema Short link : Post Views: 107
Saudi Gazette
12 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Pilgrims urged to remain within their camps from 10 am to 4 pm to prevent heat exhaustion
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah urged pilgrims to remain within their designated camps from 10 am to 4 pm to prevent heat exhaustion, citing the high temperatures expected on the Day of Arafat. He warned that random group walking poses a significant threat to the flow of crowds and the safety of pilgrims. The minister made the remarks during a meeting with heads of Hajj missions from various countries, held on the sidelines of the 49th Grand Hajj Symposium, which concluded in Jeddah on Sunday. Al-Rabiah directed the Hajj affairs offices to strictly follow regulations with regard to the movement of pilgrims within the holy sites, emphasizing pilgrims' safety and optimal ritual performance. The minister emphasized the importance of using designated transportation from Arafat to Muzdalifah rather than walking. He stressed that dispatch and transport plans are essential for organizing crowd movement and guaranteeing safety, deeming adherence a collective responsibility. Al-Rabiah underscored the pivotal role of the Nusuk card, mandating its use for accessing the Grand Mosque, holy sites, or public transportation. He affirmed the card is now a key regulatory tool for performing rituals and preventing violations. The minister said that this year will see a significant intensification of Hajj permit verification to ensure pilgrim safety and a complete Hajj experience, all within meticulous organization befitting the sanctity and grandeur of the occasion.
