OMAN: Care and proper health services for the elderly

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RUWI, Muscat / Times of Oman / Oman / March 6, 2011

By Aftab H. Kola in Muscat

Elderly Omani Citizen, Misfhat Al Abreen. Copyright photo by Paddyrags of Bangalore

Considering the lengthening shadow of life of our elderly population becoming a major challenge to the society, the Ministry of Health has recently launched the elderly care services in primary healthcare institutions, phases-wise, to cover all the primary healthcare centres in the Sultanate.

According to Dr Yaqoub Al Maghderi, head of elderly care department of primary healthcare, Ministry of Health, “Elderly care programme is included in the new Eighth Five Year Plan for Ministry of Health as separate domain, so it has its own plan, including objectives, indicators, strategies and activities for the next five years. This reflects the attention which the ministry is giving to provide proper services for the elderly people.”

The Omani society, like many others, has traditionally treated the care of the elderly as the responsibility of the siblings. However, changes in family lifestyle and the growing urbanisation are forcing a change in this implicit social contract.

Rise in numbers

Dr Yaqoub says, “The rapid increase in the number of elderly people in the country is a natural result of improvement in the living conditions of the people. This leads to the importance of putting the care for the elderly in forefront of the public and health agenda.

“Therefore, in response to this phenomena and with objective of improving the quality of life of elderly people, the Ministry of Health has started to formulate the services of elderly care under the umbrella of PHC (Primary Health Care) services.

It includes two types of service: The institutional one presented in the form of special clinics in PHC centres and for those who cannot come to the PHC centres there are outreach teams (home care).”

These programmes were started as full-package services in one health region since March 2008, which includes the full assessment of the elderly person from all the medical and social sides. The action for each case is decided according to that assessment report.

The Ministry of Health is currently in the process of implementing these programmes in the other health regions as well and slowly it will be done phase-wise.

Though the problem of elderly care has not reached alarming proportions in Oman, yet the authorities are taking no chances as the elderly population is on a marginal rise.

By the end of 2009 the estimate of elderly population (60 years and above) in the country is about 3.8 per cent of the total population, and the exact percentage will be made available after the final figures of census 2010 are presented.

Dr Yaqoub adds, “Oman has very impressive traditions related to our Islamic roots and culture, in which the elderly are regarded as very valuable and well-respected in their families and unlike in other societies where we see many youth dropping their frail parents at hospitals or social centres and such things happening in Oman is rare’’.

Old age homes

In Oman there are no homes for elderly people. There is a facility with very limited capacity run by the Ministry of Social Development in Rustaq. Dr Yaqoub observes, “Actually we are not encouraging the establishment of such homes because we still believe that the Omani community will be able to take care of their elderly population as our religion and tradition teaches us to do so”.

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While many countries have some kind of social security mechanism in place for elderly population, including a number of private, for-profit initiatives, unfortunately the same is not true for Oman. Dr Yaqoub says, “We have in the country very well established retirement system which provides more benefits. The government keeps studying the status of the population and takes the necessary measures to improve the quality of life for all’’.

When asked about the caring for the aged being a new business activity in many countries what is Oman’s position on this, Dr Yaqoub answers, “Private elderly care institution is still not available in the country, even in the other Gulf countries they are not available. There are some day care centres in some of the GCC countries supported by the private sectors.”

© Muscat Press and Publishing House

OMAN: Manual Will Guide Citizens on Healthy Eating

. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates / The Khaleej Times / June 1, 2009 MUSCAT – Oman’s health authorities are mounting a countrywide campaign to curb escalating incidence of the so-called ‘lifestyle’ diseases, notably obesity, diabetes, hypertension and cardio-vascular disorders, by releasing, for the first time, a healthy eating manual to improve citizens’ nutritional habits. Titled ‘The Omani Guide to Healthy Eating’, the handbook is based on the World Health Organisation’s ‘Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity 
and Health’ and contains 10 key 
messages on healthy eating practices. Visually represented by the ‘Omani Healthy Plate’, the guide has been 
produced by the Health Ministry’s Department of Nutrition in collaboration with WHO’s Muscat office. The guidelines, targeted at the general population above the age of two years, focus on adequate nutrition, prevention of obesity and chronic diseases including diabetes, hypertension and hyper-lipidemia through diet and physical activity. Director of the Nutrition Department Prof. Dr. Deena Hamza Alasfoor said the 
ministry felt the need to draw up the guidelines because “lifestyles in the Sultanate are undergoing rapid 
changes. Current needs demand a modern lifestyle that could necessitate changes in food habits.” However, unhealthy food choices, along with the lack of physical activity, may lead to “health hazards in our community, especially young Omanis living life on the fast track,” she added. Dr Alasfoor was addressing news conference here on Saturday together with Dr Ali Jaffar Mohammed, Health Affairs Advisor at the ministry, and the Oman representatives of WHO and Unicef to mark the launch of the booklet. Studies have shown that more than 40 per cent of Omanis are overweight or obese, and a recent survey by the Sultan Qaboos University indicated that cardiac illnesses account for about 10 per cent of all deaths in adults aged between 45 and 60 years and 31 per cent in those above 60 years in the country. Dr Mohammed said one of the most important health issues confronting public health authorities in Oman at present related to epidemiological transition which posed “a double burden of disease. On one side of the spectrum we continue to fight malnutrition and micronutrients deficiencies in our community and on the other, obesity and chronic diseases are on the rise”. Dr. Ali Jaffer Mohammad Life in the fast lane for young Omanis, he pointed out, meant that “uninformed food choices” dominated Omani tables and “lesser activity was being carried out as more time is spent in offices and in front of the TV screens… Public Health and preventive interventions are increasingly becoming an important cornerstone of health services in Oman and all over the world.” The new manual, Dr Mohammed said, was the result of four years of work by several experts. The guide is primarily meant for people who educate others about eating for good health - primary and high school health and classroom teachers, technical colleges and institutions, hospitality and culinary schools and colleges as well as university lectures. Dr Alasfoor said the book will also be distributed to health educators, community health support group members, community welfare and social workers, fitness leaders and community nurses and general practitioners, nutritionists, dieticians and nurses. She added that Omani Health Plate would be used as a tool by health 
and education professionals and the food industry to promote good nutrition in their work. The aim is to 
encourage the consumption of a variety of foods from each of six food groups – grains, fruits, meat and alternatives, pulses, milk and dairy products and 
fats and oils – every day “in proportions that are consistent with the Omani Guide to Healthy Eating.” The guide offers graphical information about the quantity and kinds of foods to choose each day and contains specific recommendations for particular groups of people including pregnant and lactating mothers, the elderly, growing-up children and others. The guideline is an essential part of efforts to promote the health of Omanis to the highest possible level, Dr Jihan Tawila, the WHO representative, said, adding, “Good nutrition is one of the basics to fight and help to avoid chronic diseases very well.” Globalisation and open trade policies in the past decades have brought about a dramatic change in the Omani diet with high fat and processed foods finding their way into meals and snacking on junk food emerging as one of the most common dietary habits among children, according to official studies. The change has led to an increase in the prevalence of obesity. “The food based dietary guidelines,” Dr Alasfoor said, “are developed to provide dietary advice and when followed can help prevent of obesity and chronic diseases.” ravindranath@khaleejtimes.com Copyright © 2009 Khaleej Times

OMAN: Exchanging experiences in social development with Jordan

. MUSCAT, Oman / Times of Oman / January 26, 2009 Jordan and the Sultanate of Oman yesterday held an official session of talks to explore the possibility for the two sides to benefit from Jordan's experience in social development. The aim was to promote human resources capacities. The Omani side at the meeting was led by Dr Sharifa bint Khalfan Al Yahya’eiyah, social development minister, while the Jordanian side was led by Hala Bseisu, social development minister. The talks explored the possibility for the two sides to benefit from the housing welfare for the elderly, and cooperation in studies and social researches and view women experience in Jordan. Oman has shown interest in benefiting from the Jordanian experience in a number of social fields, especially those connected to educating and training those suffering severe disability. © Muscat Press and Publishing House Edited version

OMAN: Increased attention to family medicine urged

. MUSCAT, Oman / Omanet.om / January 21, 2009 Dr Ali bin Saud al Bimani, Vice-Chancellor of Sultan Qaboos University, said that increased attention to family medicine would help in reducing the cost of advanced medical care in the health system. He was addressing the participants of the 1st International Conference of Family Medicine during its opening ceremony held at SQU on Sunday. The conference is organised by the SQU College of Medicine & Health Sciences in collaboration with WHO, Wonca (International Organisation of Family Doctors), Ministry of Health, Oman Famco Society and the GCC Health Ministers Council. The opening ceremony was held under the auspices of Dr Mubarak bin Saleh al Khadhouri, Personal Adviser to His Majesty the Sultan. Dr Ali al Bimani said that more specialities introduced with the aim of improving the standards of primary healthcare would reduce the number of people attending hospitals for secondary care and save the cost of medical care. “The degree of success of the health system is directly related to the good practice and quality of primary healthcare. The indicators of primary care are an important measure of development and prosperity of a country. Family Medicine is the heart and soul of primary healthcare, he added. In his address, Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed al Saidi, Under-Secretary for Health Affairs in the Ministry of Health, revealed that the plan of the ministry is to provide one health centre for every 10,000 citizens and one polyclinic for every 20,000 persons. Dr Mohammed al Shafaee, chairperson of the conference and Head of the Family Medicine and Public Health Department at SQU, said theme of this conference, Best Care for All, is a true reflection of the role of a family physician. The family doctor provides healthcare for all the family members comprehensively and continuously. He pointed out that the number of family doctors in the Sultanate is very low taking into consideration the needs of the country and because of this, family medicine can be classified as a rare speciality. In her address, Dr Jihane Tawilah, WHO Representative, said that Oman is a success story for primary healthcare. “The Sultanate has one of the fastest declines in under-five mortality. This decline and other positive health indicators, like life expectancy and immunisation rates, are due to the government’s consistent and sustained investment in primary health services over time to ensure universal access to healthcare,” she added. Prof David Haslam, President of the Royal College of General Practitioners, UK, delivered the keynote address on the topic “how investing in primary healthcare could save lives and money”. Prof Haslam established that high quality care is the most important thing in primary healthcare. The four day conference would cover various topics including state-of-the-art management of common clinical problems, mental health, sexual health, ageing and care of the elderly, premarital counselling, cancer and prevention, leadership in family medicine, research mission of family medicine, and so on. Copyright © 2002 Ministry of Information, Oman.

OMAN: State pension payments raised by up to 35%

MUSCAT, Oman (Reuters), March 19, 2008: Oman's ruler, Sultan Qaboos bin Said, ordered the government to give state pensioners a payments increase of between 5 per cent and 35 per cent as the country looks to offset the effect of inflation at a 16-year high, Oman News Agency reports. The raise goes into effect this month, Sultan Qaboos said in a decree on March 18. "The increment will help pensioners meet the needs of their families," ONA said. The Public Authority for Social Insurance, which covers payments to pensioners who worked for private companies, is looking at raising its payments, the agency said, without giving more details. Fewer than 4,600 people are registered with the agency, it said. Inflation in Oman, which pegs its currency to the dollar, accelerated for a seventh month in December to 8.29 per cent, its highest since at least 1991, as the weaker rial drove up food costs and rents rose more quickly. In February, Oman ordered an increase of up to 43 per cent in state workers' wages and a wheat price subsidy. The Gulf state could also lower its cap on rental increases -- now at 15 per cent over two years -- to help control housing costs, Khalil bin Abdullah Al Khonji, a member of the government's rent committee, said this month. Oman, like most of its neighbours in the world's biggest oil-exporting region, is constrained in its fight against inflation by its peg to the dollar, which forces it to track US rate cuts. The Federal Reserve is slashing rates to ward off recession while Gulf economies are surging on a five-fold rise in oil prices since 2002. Oman has ruled out revaluing its currency or dropping its dollar peg any time soon because the weaker rial helps attract foreign investment and encourage exports, its central bank chief said in February. Copyright 2008. Reuters Ltd.

OMAN: World Osteoporosis Day To Highlight Misconceptions

MUSCAT, Oman (Times of Oman), October 16, 2007: Osteoporosis, long regarded as a women-only disease, also affects as many as one in five men. This and other common misconceptions about the bone disease are expected to be addressed with the launch of World Osteoporosis Day on October 20 in Dubai. Launching World Osteoporosis Day in Dubai will bring this information to the region. More than 50 international journalists will be present to cover the occasion which has been secured for the destination by the Emirates Osteoporosis Society. Doctors say men get osteoporosis, too, although it is often wrongly regarded as exclusive to women. Women naturally have smaller, thinner bones than men, so they are at higher risk, but 20 per cent of those affected by the disease are men. Over the age of 50, one in every five men and one in every three women will experience an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime. Osteoporosis cannot be dismissed as a disease of the elderly that should only be of concern to older people as this bone disease is not a natural part of ageing and prevention should begin during youth and young adulthood. The opportunity to build strong bones begins then, when people should adopt a healthy lifestyle based on a diet rich in calcium and Vitamin D, weight-bearing exercise, no smoking or excessive alcohol intake, and bone density testing and medications for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis when appropriate. Although osteoporosis is not age-restricted, age is still a major risk factor, especially for those over 65. Heightened risk characteristics also include: fair skin, small bone structure, early menopause or post-menopausal, family history of osteoporosis, low body weight, low-calcium diet, inactive lifestyle, excessive alcohol intake, tobacco use, eating disorders, and use of certain medications such as steroids or anticonvulsants. A bone density test provides important information about the bone strength and the risk of future fracture. The bone densitometer uses small amounts of X-ray to measure the amount of bone mineral and this relates directly to bone strength. World Osteoporosis Day in Dubai is attracting significant support from leading organisations. © Muscat Press and Publishing House

OMAN: State Steps In To Take Care Of Elderly In Oman

MUSCAT (Gulf News), October 10, 2007: The elderly are being forced to live a lonely life as an unfortunate impact of rapid urbanisation - thus the government is gearing up to take care of the ageing population, said Barka Al Bakry, an Omani social worker. She was commenting on Oman's Health Ministry's plans to develop a system that will take care of the country's increasingly ageing population. "The Health Ministry is gearing up for such an eventuality because a lot of children drop their elderly parents or relatives at hospital and eventually abandon them," Al Bakry told Gulf News. She said that in the past Omani families took care of their extended family. "Unfortunately, now the increasing needs of an individual is gradually tearing society's fabric. People want to buy luxury cars or go on holidays and thus have little time for elderly people." She agreed it was impossible to stop this trend but said "we must attempt to delay this trend as the elderly population keeps growing in the country." Al Bakry is optimistic that government initiatives in this direction will help to a great extent. Services Dr Yaqoub Al Maghdri, Director at the Ministry's Elderly Care Department, said: "The demographic transition combined with a steady improvement in life expectancy is resulting in an increasingly ageing population. We need to understand the needs of this population and adapt our services accordingly." He added, in a statement issued by the health ministry, that people over the age of 65 represented 3.5 per cent of the total population. "This is expected to reach 10 per cent by 2025 and 20 per cent by the 2050. Compared to high-income countries, developing countries, including Oman, have less time to adjust to the consequences of an aging population. "The aims of such services are to support older people and their families in maintaining an independent lifestyle in the familiar surrounding of their communities," he said. He added the ministry had already taken several initiatives in relation to elderly citizens. "A home for elderly people has been set up in Nizwa with the collaboration of the Ministry of Social Development," he said. He said another home health care project had been doing very well since 2004 in the Al Amerat area of Muscat. Addressing needs An analysis of a representative sample of elderly people was conducted by the Department of Research and Studies in the Dhakhliya region. "The results will assist in planning appropriate intervention to address the needs of elderly people. "Some of the key activities planned for the coming years include adopting a National Strategy on Elderly Care and establishing a database on the elderly population," Al Maghdri said. By Sunil K. Vaidya, Bureau Chief © Al Nisr Publishing LLC 2007.