Launched by HDH Company in corporation with MBC Group

Riyadh, 23 June 2010: There is a growing concern in Saudi Arabia because of the continuing increase in the number of smokers of both sexes, especially among young people and minors. For that reason, the Healthcare development holding company (HDH), the leading company specialized in healthcare sector, and a subsidiary of the Bin Laden group of companies, launched an intensive campaign against smoking in the Saudi youth demographic, in collaboration with a MBC Media Group, and in conjunction with the World Day to Quit Smoking, which marks the 31 of May each year.

The campaign, which lasts about two months, focuses on finding effective methods to prevent this phenomenon, and to raise awareness in the Saudi society about the dangerous effects of smoking. It also addresses decision makers to enact laws prohibiting the sale of cigarette and tobacco products to those under the age of eighteen, and calls to popularize the Mecca and Medina initiative in the rest of Saudi cities, where it is forbidden in the two holy cities to sell cigarette or smoke in public.

The first phase of the awareness campaign has been launched by Fulstop agency, by broadcasting a series of TV ads on the MBC channels, targeting young people who are, under peer pressure, are tempted to experiment with smoking. It also targets parents and caregivers who could contribute, unintentionally, in enticing their children towards this bad habit.

Commenting on this campaign, Dr. Wael Kaawach, Chief Executive Officer, Healthcare development holding company, and orthopedic surgery consultant at Harvard University, said:"In launching this campaign, the HDH is driven by its believe in its social role and responsibility to educate the local community about the health risks of smoking, especially as the Kingdom is ranked fourth in the world in the number of smokers, who account for about 30% of its population."

Dr. Kaawach also highlighted that HDH seeks through this campaign to reach young Saudi men and women who represent the majority of Saudi society, where more than 60 per cent of its citizens are under the age of twenty-five-years of age. And expressed his hope that this campaign will contribute in the education of the community in the dangers of smoking and its negative consequences, which will lead to the cooperation of relevant authorities, of the official and governmental bodies, to enact strict laws prohibiting the sale of cigarettes to those under the age of eighteen, and enforcing a ban on smoking in public areas.

He then added: "HDH is planning to launch more initiatives after this campaign, in coordination with the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia, which is doing its best in establishing a series of health centers to quit smoking. We are also looking forward to cooperating with other concerned government agencies, in order to curtail this negative phenomenon, and its dire health and economical consequences."

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About HDH Co
HDH's vision is to be the leading healthcare developer in the region, with an aim to enhance the quality and infrastructure of the healthcare services in general. It has set an ambitious mission to be the largest professionally managed healthcare company in the region, through investing in high profile and well planned healthcare businesses that will add value to shareholders and community.

The company will strive to identify healthcare industry opportunities in the region - mainly the GCC countries, and match them with strategic partners both regionally and globally that would enhance its goal to become a leading healthcare company.

HDH is committed to work intensively in developing the infrastructure of the healthcare services, and focus on improving the service delivery system in particular. Therefore, HDH had established so far four divisions in its profile;

- CARE-RTKL: A hospital planning and design company.
- MedEx Company. A Hospital management and operation - through its subsidiary
- Focus Medical Company A Clinical specialty healthcare through its subsidiary.
- Jawda Company.:A Public/Private Partnership projects through its subsidiary

© Press Release 2010