Dr Hanadi al-Hamad, head of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Healthy Ageing and Dementia, and her team at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) are supporting and participating in the United Nations (UN) International Day of Older Persons.
(IODP) which underlines a national commitment to creating a better world for older adults in Qatar.
IODP is recognised globally on October 1 each year; the theme for this year is ‘Fulfilling the Promises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for Older Persons: Across Generations’.
Dr al-Hamad, who is also the national health strategy lead for healthy ageing, and the medical director of Rumailah Hospital and Qatar Rehabilitation Institute at HMC, said that Qatar actively supports the concept of healthy ageing, healthy and age-friendly cities and age-appropriate care.
“HMC is committed to ensuring the well-being and dignity of its patients across generations and promoting the adoption of healthy lifestyle factors to facilitate healthy ageing is a key driver in the Corporation’s illness-prevention approach,” added Dr al-Hamad. “This year, we are happy to have a collaborative awareness programme with Heart hospital to jointly celebrate World Heart Day and International Day of Older Persons, as appropriately managing the risk factors for heart disease will lead to healthy ageing as well.”
Dr al-Hamad explained that in her youth, the overall life expectancy in Qatar was significantly lower, and there was a general belief that someone who was aged 60 years or older was considered old and was encouraged to stay at home. With better healthcare services and improved living conditions, the life expectancy in Qatar now is around 80 years, and there is no reason why older people who feel fit enough should not be able to continue to live active and productive lives.
“We invite healthcare organisations, and healthcare professionals from all fields to join us in the 3rd Qatar International Geriatrics and Dementia conference. The comprehensive programme led by world-renowned experts in the field will be interesting and informative to professionals dealing with older persons in any healthcare capacity,” added Dr al-Hamad.
Dr Hanadi al-Hamad
