The Ministry of Health, represented by the Directorate General of Disease Surveillance and Control is joining the world’s countries in the celebration of National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW) that is observed every year on October 24–30.

The week highlights the efforts of countries and partners to prevent lead exposure particularly in children, and the serious health effects of lead exposure, in addition to accelerating efforts to eliminate lead paint gradually.

In this regard, the MOH’s Environmental and Occupational Health Department is organizing many events and activities to increase lead poisoning prevention awareness in communities. A symposium on measuring health effects of lead exposure and national efforts in this area is planned. Moreover, outreach materials are developed about health effects of lead exposure and ways of prevention. Workers in the battery industry will be further informed about lead poisoning risks, its prevention and control. Children in various schools will be also educated on ways of lead exposure in the surrounding environment and means of protection. 

The week is a call from the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint, which is cooperative initiative jointly led by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Environment Program.