Hana Al Hammadi (Abu Dhabi)
The era of the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, witnessed a special interest in the “senior citizens” in the UAE, and work to ensure their harmony in the societal system, and to enhance their role in an atmosphere commensurate with their health needs and taking into account their desires and requirements. Their expertise is an imperative for sustainable development.
With the support and directives of the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, the “senior citizens” received an integrated system of government care that guarantees them a decent life and preserves their position in society. The federal government and local governments have always registered financial and in-kind assistance to the category of “senior citizens”. Since the establishment of the State of the Union in 1971, the gains of the “senior citizens” have continued and their role has increased, which confirms the human, cultural and civilized dimension of the authentic Emirati society, which grew up on the noble values of the approach of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, “may God rest his soul”.
The adoption by the Council of Ministers of the national policy for “senior citizens” in October 2018, is the best evidence of the wise leadership’s interest in the era of the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, in providing the requirements for a decent life for “senior citizens”, in order to achieve the goals of “Senior Citizens”. UAE Vision 2021” and “UAE Centennial 2071” as partners in the process of growth and development. The national policy for “senior citizens” approved changing the name of the elderly to “senior citizens”, as they are old in experience, and in their inexhaustible devotion and giving to the homeland. The policy included 7 main axes: health care, community communication and active life, investment of energies and civic participation, infrastructure and transportation, financial stability, security and safety, and the quality of future life.
Healthcare
The rational leadership during the era of the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, was concerned with health care for “senior citizens”, as the Ministry of Health and Community Protection launched many initiatives to support health care for the elderly, including the creation of a database to monitor the life expectancy of the elderly. age in the country, and expand health care programs and services, especially home care services.
The Ministry has provided a “mobile clinics” service in remote areas in the emirates of Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, which are equipped with the necessary equipment and medical staff to provide treatment and advisory services. Services include dental treatment, medical laboratory, physical therapy, diabetes treatment, and other services.
The Ministry of Community Development also provided primary, social, and psychological health care services, and physical therapy for “senior citizens” through shelters for the elderly and the home care program for the elderly. The Ministry launched the “Masra Card”, which provides a range of services and privileges, which are proactively included in the Emirates ID card and granted to all citizens aged 60 and over. This comes with the aim of improving the quality of future life and enhancing the well-being of individuals in various fields. Concessions are activated proactively in the medical, banking, hotel, tourism, catering, and other fields.
Home Care
The support of the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, “may God rest his soul,” for “senior citizens” did not stop there. Both “Sheikh Khalifa Medical City” and “Tawam Hospital” in Al Ain provide home care services to all citizens of the country. The Abu Dhabi Medical Rehabilitation Center provides specialized care for the elderly in the city of Abu Dhabi. The center receives the elderly who do not have a breadwinner and need comprehensive and continuous medical care for long periods that cannot be provided at home. The center provides many health and social care services, such as diagnosis and medical advice, physiotherapy, speech therapy, psychotherapy, exercise therapy, water therapy, occupational therapy, family counseling, and integration into society.
mobile car
In the city of Al Ain, the municipality provides a “mobile car” service, which enables people with disabilities and the elderly to complete their transactions in their homes with ease.
In Dubai, the Community Development Authority works to enhance the level of harmony of the elderly within the societal system. The Authority runs a number of programs and activities for the elderly, including the “Waleef” program, which provides free care for the elderly in their homes, and the Thukher Social Club, which offers a range of activities, events and daily programs that deal with various aspects of the lives of the elderly.
The Dubai Health Authority provides home care services to both citizens and residents. It provides many services, including: geriatric assessment, nursing care, home safety assessment, rehabilitation, nutritional needs assessment, and others. The Community Development Authority in Dubai, in cooperation with a number of government institutions and private companies, issued a “Thuker” card for elderly citizens of the Emirate of Dubai for those over the age of 60 in the country, as a qualitative initiative aimed at providing a package of services and facilities.
In Sharjah, home care services are available for the elderly to help them integrate into society and raise their health and living standards.
Programs and activities
During the era of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, the Emirates Red Crescent Authority continued to provide various programs for the elderly, and coordinate with the elderly care centers in the country to organize activities and events in order to draw attention to this age group. On certain occasions, such as the International Day of the Elderly, the Authority organizes field visits for the elderly in their homes, in addition to elderly care centers to determine their needs, and provide gifts and psychological support to them. The Authority has trained a number of employees on how to provide appropriate care to this category to enhance the Authority’s role in the areas of humanitarian work.
adopting initiatives
The era of Sheikh Khalifa witnessed the dedication of the Emirates, one of the leading countries in its strategic vision, to services for care, development and rehabilitation for “senior citizens”, through a set of policies and programmes, adopting initiatives and building facilities and facilities that serve this age group. Enhancing the value of respecting the elderly and emphasizing their pivotal role in the country’s sustainable development process, in a way that deepens the values of solidarity, synergy and giving.
vision and goals
Translating the directives of Sheikh Khalifa, state institutions represented by the Ministry of Community Development, the official umbrella for the family, continue to provide comprehensive care for “senior citizens” and to secure a decent life for all segments of society in the country, leading to the “UAE Vision 2021” and the “UAE Centennial 2071 Goals.” .
#era #Khalifa #Senior #Citizens #partners #development