The Minister of Health, H.E. Fahad Abdulrahman AlJalajel, expressed his gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and to His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on the issuance of the Council of Ministers’ decision approving the National Policy for Promoting Healthy Dietary Patterns and the National Policy for Child Protection in Educational Institutions, based on the recommendations submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Health in All Policies.
H.E. stated that the approval reflects the wise leadership’s continued commitment to protecting people’s health and enhancing quality of life. It also demonstrates its dedication to strengthening preventive health and advancing the objectives of
Saudi Vision 2030 in building a vibrant society and an ambitious nation through integrated government efforts.
He explained that the National Policy for Child Protection in Educational Institutions, led by the Ministry of Education in partnership with several government entities, aims to provide a healthy and safe educational environment for children in public education institutions, in line with national regulations and relevant international agreements. The policy prioritizes the best interests and safety of children, protects them from all forms of abuse, and strengthens unified safe reporting mechanisms and early intervention to support mental health, well-being, and school readiness.
The Minister noted that the policy was developed through collaboration among the implementing entities, including the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Justice, the Public Prosecution, the Ministry of Media, the Human Rights Commission, the Public Health Authority, the Family Affairs Council Secretariat, and the Authority for the Care of Persons with Disabilities.
H.E. also affirmed that the National Policy for Promoting Healthy Dietary Patterns provides a comprehensive national framework for improving food quality, promoting healthy dietary behaviors, and reducing health risks associated with poor nutrition. He commended the Saudi Food and Drug Authority for leading its development in partnership with several government entities, including the Ministry of Health, to strengthen food policies and reinforce the prevention of chronic diseases.
The two policies are part of the work of the Ministerial Committee for Health in All Policies, which has issued more than 20 national policies addressing various social determinants of health, including the National Drowning Prevention Policy, the Calorie Display Policy for Foods Served in Restaurants and Cafés, and the High-Risk Occupations Policy.
These efforts have contributed to measurable improvements in health indicators, including an increase in life expectancy to 79.7 years, a 60% reduction in road traffic fatalities, a 50% reduction in deaths from communicable diseases, a 30% reduction in unintentional injury deaths, a 40% reduction in deaths from chronic diseases, a 17% reduction in drowning-related deaths, and the designation of 16 Saudi cities as Healthy Cities by the World Health Organization.
These achievements reflect the impact of cross-sector collaboration in advancing public health, strengthening prevention, and promoting sustainable quality of life, contributing positively to society and the Kingdom’s national development indicators.