Under the theme “The Journey to Age Equality”, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) recently organized a number of events and activities in various medical districts on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons which falls on October 1 annually.
Three Events to Celebrate the International Day of Older Persons
In this regard, MoHAP organized an event at Majlis Al Rashidiya of the Senior Citizens Department in cooperation with the Community Development Authority (CDA). The event aims at enhancing social partnership and responsibility to pour in the interest of elderly citizens in the UAE, as well as to raise awareness about the challenges they confront and celebrate their achievements.
In the same context, the Obaidullah Elderly Hospital organized a ceremony to reaffirm the importance of serving the elderly citizens and providing them with outstanding services, through the development of promotive, preventive and curative health activities.
The event was attended by Dr. Yousef Altair, Director of Obaidullah Elderly Hospital and directors of several government institutions.
In the meantime, a team from MoHAP conducted field visits to the Elderly Nursing Home in Sharjah and Ajman and presented souvenirs for senior citizens.
Senior Friendly Hospitals
H.E. Dr. Youssif Al Serkal, Assistant Undersecretary for the Ministry’s Hospitals Sector, said: “The health of elderly citizens is a top priority for MoHAP. That’s why the ministry has made fundamental amendments to the structure of work to provide friendly hospitals for senior citizens. MoHAP also launched exceptional initiatives in recognition of the high status of seniors in society. These initiatives include the Mobile Healthcare Service and Ownak initiative.”
Al Serkal noted that changing the name of the Obaidullah Hospital for Elderly and Geriatric Diseases to Obaidullah Elderly Hospital comes in line with the decree of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, in terms of adopting the National Policy for Senior Emiratis and changing the title to be “Elderly Citizens”.
“Our services for senior citizens include; diagnostic services, medical consultations and quick service, appointment service, elderly transportation services, the priority in dispensing medicines at all MoHAP’s pharmacies, ensuring the availability of their medications, assuring that their medications are labeled with drug instructions and drug delivery services,” said Dr. Kalthoum Al Baloushi, Director of MoHAP’s Hospitals Administration.
Obaidullah Elderly Hospital …… An Accredited Hospital
Dr. Yousef Altair, Director of Obaidullah Elderly Hospital said that MoHAP is keen on consolidating the great value of senior citizens in building the community
Al-Tair pointed out that the UAE leads all Arab countries in life expectancy at birth (77 years), while the average life expectancy index was 67.9 according to statistics in 2016, pointing that he life expectancy index is one of the main indicators adopted to measure the development of the health system in countries. He also added that the hospital has obtained the international accreditation for services quality and is considered the first-of-its-kind hospital dedicated to the treatment of the elderly in the UAE.