ShareKUWAIT: Kuwait is committed to upholding human rights, particularly the rights of older people, said Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs Khaled Al-Ajmi. His remarks were made during an event on Monday, marking International Day of Older Persons, which falls on October 1 of every year. The event was held under the patronage of Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah.
“Kuwait recognizes the vital role that older people play and the importance of developing our laws to protect their rights, preserve their dignity, and encourage their integration into society while benefiting from their wealth of experiences,” he said in a speech on behalf of Minister Al-Huwailah. He referenced the laws concerning the social care of the elderly, including Article 11 of the Kuwaiti Constitution and Law No 18 of 2016.
He also highlighted the ministry’s role in providing comprehensive health, social, psychological and living care for older people without family support. This includes home care services and various support options delivered by specialized technical staff, as well as daycare services offered at dedicated clubs and centers, which aim to increase the elderly’s engagement with society during their free time.
In a statement to KUNA, Minister Al-Huwailah noted one of this year’s significant achievements: the launch of a mobile elderly care unit based in Hawally governorate, which facilitates transportation for older individuals to services like physiotherapy and health clubs. She also mentioned the establishment of elderly Diwaniyas (gathering halls) in the West Abdullah Mubarak and Al-Firdous areas, along with other services aimed at integrating the elderly into wider society.
Abdelrahman Al-Enezi, Director of the ministry’s elderly care department, highlighted the Farah Specialized Center for the Care and Rehabilitation of the Elderly, as an example of care services provided for older people. The center, which currently hosts 17 people, offers various activities to keep residents entertained, including group breakfasts and family visits. “We encourage visits from individuals, civil society organizations, and government entities. These interactions bring immense joy to our elderly residents,” he stated.
Recognizing that many of the older people prefer to receive care at home, surrounded by their families, he added that the ministry operates six mobile centers across all governorates. Currently, these mobile service centers serve 3,888 elderly individuals, which has contributed to lower admissions at the Farah Specialized Center, said Enezi.
In addition to that, he said that the number of beneficiaries from the “Awlawiya” cards provided by the government to facilitate seniors’ government transactions stands at 34,787, while the number of beneficiaries from the elderly parking permit program is 6,279.
According to him, to be eligible for these services, individuals must be Kuwaiti citizens aged 65 and older, whether they seek home care or care within the center. Additionally, when applying to the Farah Specialized Center, certain medical examinations should be conducted to ensure residents are free from infectious diseases.
