According to a release by the Indian Embassy in Kuwait, the average life expectancy of Indian who died in Kuwait is 44.4 years! This is based on the statistics issued by the Indian embassy during the period January-September 2014, were 416 deaths reported among approx. 750,000 members of Indian community living in Kuwait.
Embassy in a release, highlights the cause of high deaths among Indian nationals in Kuwait.
Average life expectancy of Indian nationals who died in Kuwait, was found to be barely at 44.4 years — 41.6 years in domestic sector and 45.1 years in private sector. Gender-wise, in males average age at death was found to be 44 years, as against 46.7 years for females. The lowest life expectancy of 40.7 years was found among Indian domestic males. A slightly higher life expectancy of 48.5 years was found in dependent females. The average life expectancy seems to be rather low among Indians in Kuwait (as against life expectancy in India of 67 years for a male and 70 years for a female). Some causes for deaths at a considerably lower age among Indians in Kuwait are as below:
a). Heart attacks
This is the most worrying cause of Indian deaths in Kuwait. There were 177 out of a total 416 deaths or about 42.5%. Heart attacks seem to be higher in males in the private sector vis-à-vis the domestic sector. The rate of heart attack among females is only one third that of males. Heart attack is often attributed to smoking, sedentary lifestyle, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, eating of fatty foods, sleep or rest deprivation, highly stressed working environment and lack of timely access to medical attention etc.
b). Natural causes
Deaths due to natural causes are approximately one third of total Indian deaths. Out of total of 130 natural deaths during the period, 103 are in the age group of 26-65 years. Natural causes include various types of illnesses (excluding heart attacks) such as cancer/other life-threatening diseases, resulting in death of Indians in Kuwait.
c). Traffic Accidents
This is also an area of serious concern as there were 40 deaths due to road accidents.
d) Suicides
Suicides among Indians are a cause of concern. Out of 23 suicide cases reported during the period, 14 suicides 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 reasons for suicides attributed are high degree of work stress, financial indebtness and living away from home.
e). Other causes of death
There were 13 deaths due to murders and worksite accidents.
f). Conclusion
High deaths among Indian nationals in Kuwait are predominantly due to lifestyle problems and harsh working conditions, high degree of physical & mental stresses 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, Kuwait is bringing out a Guide for the benefit of Indians in Kuwait. IDF, Kuwait and other Indian Associations in Kuwait will continue to organize free medical camps for the benefit of Indian community.
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