The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the Ministry of Health (MOH), has won four awards in the Gulf excellence in the health media contests organized by the GCC Health Ministers Council, in collaboration with Al-Mahalliyya Public Affairs. The MOH won the first place in the Gulf excellence in social communication for the Ministry's account on Twitter, the first place in electronic applications for the application: “Your Health Advisor,” which is directed to all society members, the second place in TV message for a TV flash which stimulates the fight against obesity and inactivity, and the second place in radio message for a radio message to motivate the diet and physical activity.
The Advisor to His Excellency the Minister of Health and Supervisor-General of Health Relations, Media and Awareness, Dr. Khalid Al-Marghalani, expressed his thanks and appreciation to His Excellency the Minister of Health Dr. Muhammad Alhayaza for the great support given to the Health Relations, Media and Awareness General Department which contributed to the preparation and production of awareness programs in the line with the Ministry's trends toward activation of the awareness activities and promotion of the health awareness among all members of the society.
As for excellence of media organizations in the Gulf States, 6 participations by media organizations have been submitted, of which the Kingdom won 3 other awards. In journalism, Okaz Organization for Press and Publication received the excellence award for print media. In broadcasting, UFM Radio received the broadcasting excellence award for the show "Gym and Fitness." In YouTube contests, a YouTube Channel received the excellence award for the show: "Fight Obesity".
It is noteworthy that 139 contestants from all GCC states, including governmental bodies, media organizations and individuals, applied for this year’s Gulf Excellence Award in the Health Media. It focused on the excellence in health awareness concerning obesity diseases through seven fields and channels; they are: Poster, social networks (Twitter, Facebook and Instagram), short TV messages, short radio messages, website, integrated media campaign, and electronic applications.
It is to be noted that the award aims at developing the spirit of innovation and creativity for the workers and those interested in the field of health awareness and health media at the level of the GCC states, as well as encouraging innovators to contribute to the prevention and health promotion by means of affecting individuals and categories of the society and urging them to adopt healthy lifestyles.
It sets as its target, also, drawing the attention of the governmental media institutions, enhancing partnership with the private media organizations, supporting the distinguished efforts intended to develop the health awareness programs throughout the GCC States. That is to be added to honing the skills of the workers in the field of health awareness, and highlighting the leading efforts and effective initiatives of individuals and institutions working in the field of health awareness in order to promote the health of Gulf citizen.
In addition to that, the award aims at contributing to achieving the strategic goals of the health plans in all GCC states, encouraging the Gulf cadres towards creativity and precision in the field of health media, meanwhile appreciating the outstanding talents and competencies in the health media, fostering the spirit of competition among the workers in the health media, and providing a base of material for the health media.