The Centre for Empowerment and Care of the Elderly (Ehsan) organised Tuesday, a panel discussion on 'Elderly Care - Current Situation and Future Inclinations' to mark the International Day of Older Persons, established by the United Nations to raise awareness on the role and needs of older adults in society.
The event was held under the patronage of HE the Minister of Social Development and Family Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad, in collaboration with Excellence Center for Training and Consulting at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies (DI).
In her opening speech, Dr Hamda bint Hassan al-Sulaiti, Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council, stressed the need to shed more light on the rights of the elderly and address the challenges they face. She pointed out the importance of providing care and support for older people in recognition of their lifelong contributions.
Dr al-Sulaiti also noted the focus of Qatar National Vision 2030 on supporting the elderly, highlighting the Shura Council efforts to protect their rights through legislation and policies that ensure their welfare.
Dr Ayhab Saad, dean of the School of Economics, Administration and Public Policy at the DI, stressed the importance of the event as part of the Institute’s mission to serve the community. He talked about the significant role of older adults in building and advancing society, and the need to benefit from their extensive experience. He appreciated the constructive partnership between the Excellence Center for Training and Consulting and Ehsan, aiming to support and raise awareness about the elderly population.
Manal Ahmed al-Mannai, executive director of Ehsan, remarked that the panel discussion reflects the centre's shared vision of supporting and empowering older people to continue contributing to society. Ehsan views older people as a source of wisdom and experience, and essential partners in the development of the society, in addition to being active players in enhancing cohesion among the different segments of the society. She also talked about the role of the state in improving the quality of life for older people and highlighted the need to evaluate the current policies in this regard to identify the opportunities and challenges ahead.
The panel, moderated by Dr Ahmed al-Maweri, director of the Excellence Center for Training and Consulting, brought together various stakeholders involved in elderly care. It addressed the health and social aspects of elderly care, the support provided by the state, and ways to enhance the experiences of older people to benefit society.
Dr Hanadi al-Hamad, deputy chief for Long-Term Care, Rehabilitation and Geriatrics Care at Hamad Medical Corporation, discussed the healthcare services provided to older adults, while Dr Yusuf al-Kazim, president of Arab Federation for Voluntary Activities, discussed the issue of the valuable role that older people could play in voluntary work, drawing on their wealth of experience.
The panel concluded with a call for continued efforts to enhance the care and support of older people, emphasising their crucial role in the development and wellbeing of society.
The panel discussion shed light on the rights and role of the elderly.
