Health minister pays visit to mobile physiotherapy unit during first tour

The Elderly Empowerment and Care Centre (Ehsan) has announced the launch of a series of tours to introduce members of the public to the mobile physiotherapy unit for older persons.The unit was launched last month during a celebration attended by community leaders.The initiative aims to raise public awareness of the importance of physiotherapy exercises for older persons and to promote this service.It will continue through the coming month, a press statement notes.The physiotherapy therapy unit began its first tour by staying for three days in a special parking space at The Ritz-Carlton, Doha, coinciding with the events of the Qatar International Geriatrics and Gerontology Conference that was held from October 31 to November 2.HE Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari, Minister of Public Health, attended the opening of the conference.It was organised by the Ministry of Public Health and Hamad Medical Corporation in collaboration with the British Geriatrics Society.More than 600 people participated in the conference.HE Dr al-Kuwari, who visited the mobile physiotherapy unit during the first tour, praised the services offered by Ehsan in Qatar and confirmed the importance of the co-operation between the bodies concerned to provide a decent life for older persons, and maintain and commit to the concept of “Healthy Ageing”, which is one of Qatar’s National Health Strategy (NHS) 2018-2022 priorities.“Persons who are over 60 years contribute to forming a rich social environment and everyone must acknowledge their value and recognise their changing health needs,” HE Dr al-Kuwari said on the occasion.In November and December, the mobile unit will visit the “most vital areas in Qatar that are attractive to the public during this season”, such as public parks and heritage markets, as well as governmental and non-governmental institutions, in order to offer physiotherapy services for older persons and inform their families about the importance of physical exercise for elders, the statement explains.The mobile unit tours will include Al Bidda Park, Aspire Park, Katara – the Cultural Village, Souq Waqif, Souq Al Wakrah, and Al-Henzab Holy Qur’an Centre.The unit will also be located near Darb Al Saai next month to offer its services for older persons attending the events of Qatar National Day.The mobile unit represents one of the leading awareness initiatives launched by Ehsan for older persons in Qatar.The centre seeks to launch other similar services in different fields, the statement adds.