Al Maidoor inaugurates 1st MENA Geriatric Summit

•    DHA announces future plans to have a dedicated geriatric clinic at every primary health centre.

•    Afternoon geriatric clinics to also be introduced across DHA primary health centres.

•    Expansion of specialized clinics such as osteoporosis clinics in the pipeline.

•    Dedicated mobile rehabilitation programs for the elderly to be introduced shortly.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, December 11, 2014: His Excellency Engineer Essa Al Maidoor, Director-General of the Dubai health Authority (DHA) inaugurated today the 1st MENA Geriatric Summit that is taking place at  The Mohammed Bin Rashid Academic Medical Center (MBR-AMC) at Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC).

The summit that was organized by the Swiss Business Council in collaboration with the Dubai Health Authority discussed the latest advancements in geriatric care and the importance of healthy ageing.

His Excellency Engineer Essa Al Maidoor, Director-General of the DHA, said: “ Geriatric care is an important area of focus for the DHA.  Rise in population and increase in life expectancy are factors that will lead to an increase in the number of elderly patients and our aim to make their lives as healthy as possible, ensure they are functionally independent to the best extent possible so that they can enjoy a good quality of life.”

He added that the DHA is expanding its geriatric care services and has several plans in the pipeline to ensure specialised geriatric care for the population of Dubai.

Al Maidoor, said: “ Our plans include a dedicated geriatric clinic across every primary healthcare centre. We already have geriatric clinics across some of our primary health care centres but the aim is to extend this service to all DHA PHCs. In addition to morning clinics, some specialised clinics, particularly useful for elderly patients, will be introduced in the afternoons as well. In addition to this, we will also begin a dedicated mobile rehabilitation program for the elderly.”

He added the mobile rehabilitation plan, is being introduced, following the success of the existing home rehabilitation services. The new services include a dedicated mobile bus equipped with all facilities needed for home-rehabilitation services.

Dr Nahed Monsef, Director of Health Affairs Section at the DHA, said: “ Our aim is to provide specialized services to the elderly taking into account every aspect of geriatric care and our services as well as expansion plans reflect that.

 “Presently, the population of people above the age of 60 years in Dubai is approximately 11,400. In the 1960s, in UAE the life expectancy was 53 years, today, average life expectancy for the elderly in Dubai is 78 years for females and 75 for males and it is higher compared to some other Middle-Eastern countries. Therefore, the emphasis has to be on healthy ageing.”

Dr Amal Al Jaziri, head of elderly care unit at the DHA’s primary healthcare sector, said: “Patients should be aware of the concept of healthy ageing and should undergo regular yearly screenings. Elderly patients should undergo screenings for risk of falls, risk of developing dementia, osteoporosis etc. This is essential for early detection and to minimize the risk of complications.

She added this helps them lead a better quality of life and be independent to the best extent possible.

For further information about the DHA’s geriatric services, customers can call 800 342.