Sharjah Shares Its Age-Friendly City Experience with Kuwait

During the recent visit of the author to Kuwait, SSD presented its model of the first Arab age-friendly city to the public officials of the Ministry of Health in Kuwait. The delegation led by Ahmed Al Meel, Director of the Social Services Department at the Government of Sharjah and Asma Al Khodari Director of Sharjah Age-Friendly Cities, was in Ottawa with the goal to develop partnerships on projects that support seniors’ well-being.

The talks were centered on Sharjah being acceitized into the World Health Organisation’s Global Network of Age Friendly Cities under the leadership of H. H Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammed Al Qasimi. They also underlined the mentioned in the strategic plan of the emirate for 2024-2026 many activities where numerous initiatives are provided for the enhancement of the quality of life of seniors, including the health care services and community support.

It also included a workshop to develop the broad framework of the Kuwait Age–friendly Cities. The guide will also provide the general framework for the care of the elderly in the global context and how it can be implemented legally in light of the Kuwait law. Moreover, the field visits were used to contribute to the discussions on the ways to enhance making services for the seniors in Kuwait to be more effective.

Al Meel looked at the strong physical built environment in Kuwait as well as its readiness to be part of the global network of age friendly cities. On the other hand, Dr. Fatima Bin Dhufari, the Director of Senior Services at the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health supported this collaboration on the grounds that Kuwait has agreed on supporting the senior citizen through policy and legislation to meet the stipulation of senior friendly nations around the world.

This implies the bilateral interest of both countries for development of seniors’ quality of life and the encouragement of other Arab cities to join the age friendly city movement.