MoH forms panel to tackle violence against the elderly – Policies designed to support rights of seniors

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KUWAIT CITY, Jan 8, (KUNA): The Ministry of Health has formed a panel tasked with fighting violence against the elderly, a medical official announced on Sunday. The MoH will study experience of other GCC countries, ahead of working out protocols and policies designed to support rights of the old citizens, said Dr Mohammad Al-Khashti, the assistant undersecretary for private medical services, in a statement during a celebration marking the Gulf Week for the Elderly Care.

Dr Al-Khashti indicated at desire to draw up “a road map” for backing up this segment of the society, in coordination with other government departments, NGOs and civil societies. The Gulf Week for Elderly Care is complementary to a slew of regional countries’ campaigns “to face challenges facing care for the seniors,” he said, also indicating that such an approach is compatible with the unique ethical values adopted in the GCC communities and the Islamic doctrine.

The ministry will examine recommendations of the convention to update its strategies and ensure that the old get what they need, he pledged.

Meanwhile, Dr Ibtisam Al-Hwaidi, director of health services at the MoH, said in a statement addressed to the attendees that the newly-established commission for combating violence against the elderly seeks to study cases ahead of mapping out a national strategy to tackle the phenomenon.

Al-Hwaidi said 49,000 citizens aged 65 and above are registered at the Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI) — some three percent of the Kuwaiti population. The gathering, themed “towards long and healthy life” will proceed till January 12th. It features a series of seminars about the care for old people.

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