
In the last 2 years the COVID-19 pandemic has affected more than 600,000 people in Kuwait as per official statistics. Although more than 95% have recovered from it, extra care has to be taken as covid has affected our vital organs like liver, muscles and heart. Also with the return to normal working hours, a lot of the people will have to re-adjust their style of living and workings. This Transition is bound to result in stress for everybody. Keeping in mind this fact, Indian Muslim Association-Kuwait (IMA) in Co-ordination with the Indian Doctors Forum (IDF) organized an online Health Awareness webinar dated 18 th March 2022 on Zoom. Dr. Swati Narendra Dongre. a well Known Cardiac Anesthesiologist working at Al Sabah Al Ahmed Cardiac Centre in Kuwait City gave an informative lecture on the topic “ Cardiac Arrest- Signs & Prevention”.

She explained the difference between a Heart Attack (which happens when blood supply to the heart is blocked) and Cardiac Arrest (which happens when the heart stops working and the brain and other vital organs are starved of oxygen). She went on further to explain the various signs & symptoms of cardiac arrest like
- Collapse and falling to the ground.
- No breathing or laboured / abnormal breathing.
- No pulse.
- Loss of consciousness.
Dr Swati explained in details as how to respond / attend to the person having a Cardia arrest using CPR and mouth to mouth resuscitation. She explained step by step how to administer a CPR and mouth to mouth resuscitation . She stressed on the fact that first 4 – 6 minutes after the attack are critical to prevent major irreversible damage to the brain and other vital organs. In the end she advised everybody to eat healthy, do exercise, sleep well and try to minimize stress on their own self to reduce the chances of Cardiac Arrest.

Mr. Sharafuddin B.S, another speaker in the webinar delivered his thought provoking lecture on topic “ How to be Healthy & Happy”.He started his speech indicating that many people are unsatisfied with their current lives, their disabilities, their liabilities and they take undue stress over it. However some people have overcame all these and went on to become great personalities. He further gave examples of eminent personalities like Nicolas Vujicic, Mark Zuckerberg, Colonel Harland Sanders and Franklin Roosevelt. He emphasized that it is important to adopt a right mindset which includes being happy and satisfied with what you have, being positive in life, managing stress, keeping realistic goals in life and motivating oneself to achieve it and being grateful.

He further stressed on the importance of our diets, which are important to take like vegetables, whole food grains, fruits etc. and which is to be avoided /restricted like processed food, salty and fried items, Fast /Junk food. Finally he explained the importance of a health lifestyle like sleeping for 7 to 8 hours daily , early to bed and early to rise, doing 30 minutes of exercise daily and to take food on time. Lastly he advised everybody that you should have faith in God, maintain a healthy social life, help others and do good to others. Dr. Sajna, the vice president of Indian Doctors Forum (IDF) Kuwait, delivered her inaugural speech with the introduction of IDF Kuwait, highlighting that IDF as an association has 600+ members who have rendered selfless service from time to time specially during the Covid -19 situation. She thanked & appreciated the IMA for holding this webinar and also mentioned their previous collaborations with IMA for events like Blood Donation Camp, Medical Camp and other Health awareness programs held from time to time under IMA banner.

The Webinar started on time with the recitation of the Quran by Mr Waleed Umri. The convenor Mr Abdul Musauvir welcomed the dignitaries and the audience to the program. The dignitaries included the IDF Vice president Dr. Sajna Mohammed, Dr. Swati Narendra Dongre and Mr. Sharafuddin B.S. The Program was attended by an overwhelming majority of the people. The response to the program by the audiences was so exciting that the Zoom chat box was full with comments appreciating the program, a large number of people asked questions on health related different issues to the speakers and this question & answer session was moderated by the convenor of the program. Mr Mushtaq Mehdi, IMA Social Service Coordinator and the organizer of this online webinar thanked the IDF Kuwait, its team and the participants of the program, appreciated the efforts taken by IMA Kuwait to conduct this program and finally prayed to Allah the Almighty to shower His blessing upon all and reward them in this life and also in life hereafter.

IMA Kuwait is an Indian socio-religious organization in Kuwait which carries out its various activities under the patronage of “Ministry of Awqaaf” & “Islamic Affairs”, Kuwait and Indian Embassy. IMA always focusses to provide platform for enhancement of expatriates living in Kuwait for their spiritual & social aspect through various programs & webinars. It looks forward for organizing various beneficial programs in future, considering the occasions and requirements of expatriates in general and specifically Indian community.