This Article is From Oct 27, 2014

Average Life Expectancy of Indians in Kuwait Way Below National Figures

Dubai: A total of 416 Indians died in Kuwait during the last eight months with heart attacks being the most common cause of death, Indian officials said.

According to the Indian embassy in Kuwait, average life expectancy of Indian nationals who died in Kuwait was found to be barely at 44.4 years - 41.6 years for people employed in domestic sectors and 45.1 years in private sector. In males average age at death was found to be 44 years, as against 46.7 years for females.

The average life expectancy seems to be rather low among the 7,50,000 strong Indian expatriate community in Kuwait as against the life expectancy in India of 67 years for a male and 70 years for a female.

According to the embassy, heart attack is the most worrying cause of Indian deaths in Kuwait. "Out of a total 416 deaths, 177 or about 42.5 per cent were due to heart attacks. Heart attacks seem to be higher in males in the private sector vis-a-vis the domestic sector," said the embassy.

However, deaths due to natural causes are approximately one third of total Indian deaths in the country.

130 natural deaths were reported during this period, which include various types of illnesses (excluding heart attacks) such as cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

A total of 40 deaths were reported due to road accidents. The embassy also expressed concern over the high rate of suicides among Indians living in Kuwait.

"Out of 23 suicide cases reported during the period, 14 are from domestic sector and 9 from private sector. Out of these 14 suicides in domestic sector, 11 were in the age group of 26-45 years, pointing to the possibility that the younger population may be more prone to suicides. Some of the possible reasons for suicides are high degree of work stress, financial indebtedness and living away from home," it said.

There were 13 deaths due to murder and work-site accidents.

According to the embassy, a large number of deaths of Indian nationals in Kuwait are predominantly due to lifestyle problems and harsh working conditions, high degree of physical and mental stress and lack of medical awareness.

"In view of high incidence of fatal heart attacks among Indians as well as suicides, traffic accidents and illnesses etc., the Indian Doctors' Forum (IDF), Kuwait is bringing out a Guide for the benefit of Indians in Kuwait," it said. 
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