First Gulf conf. on elderly health care begins in Kuwait
Date
3/13/2016 7:12:04 AM
(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) Corrected rpt
By Shahed Kamal
KUWAIT March 13 (KUNA) -- The first Gulf conference on total care for the elderly slated for March 13- 15 in Kuwait got underway here on Sunday -- an event turning the spotlight on the rights of the elderly in receiving optimum health care under all conditions.
Minister of Health Dr. Ali Al-Obeidi in a statement addressed on his behalf by Undersecretary Dr. Mohammad Al-Khashti affirmed during the inauguration that the conference is aimed at swapping expertise paving way for overhauling programs and updating strategies for the elderly care in harmony with international regulations.
Kuwait in this respect has worked out "the national strategy for medical care for the elderly" along with an executive plan under umbrella of a supreme commission headed by the minister.
The Kuwaiti strategy is based on plans of the World Health Organization designed to enhance medical care for people of various ages provide health insurance for seniors as well as adhere to global sustainable development objectives (till 2030).
He expressed hope that the conferees would come up with recommendations for overhauling the health sector namely with respect of "facing challenges concerning the geriatric medical care which warrants effort from all of us." For his part Dr. Toufic Khoja the general director of the executive office of the GCC health ministers said in a statement addressed on his behalf Dr. Sueliman Al-Shemmari a family medicine specialist that the care for the old covers economic psychological and social aspects. Citing WHO's figures he said the world population whose age is 60 increased from 11 to 22 percent between 2000 and 2050. Number of this segment will increase from 900 million in 2015 to 1400 million by 2030 and 2100 million by 2050. The figure may soar to 3200 million by 2100.
He lauded Minister Al-Obeidi for adopting launch of His Highness thr Amir's award for distinguished contributions in geriatric care noting that such initiatives affirm the State of Kuwait's special concern for this "dear segment." He also lauded the Ministry of Health for its major role in citizens and expatriates' medical welfare.
Dr. Ibtisam Al-Hwaidi the general director of medical services for the elderly the organizer of the event said the 3-day event aims at shedding light on the seniors' right for full and integrated medical services enhancing public awareness of the necessity of such care and swapping expertise in the field.
The conference will focus on relevant challenges enhancing role in this respect by various organizations and authorities at the public and NGO's levels she said.
Meanwhile Ghalia Al-Mutairi head of the information bureau of the Ministry of Health said in remarks to KUNA that the department published a booklet including guidelines for the elderly on how to proceed with living in a healthy manner. The booklet was distributed at the conference venue. (end) shd.rk
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