Qatar Affirms Commitment To Promote And Protect Rights Of the Elderly

QNA New York Qatar has affirmed its commitment to continue its tireless efforts to promote and protect elderly rights and work to remove all obstacles that...

QNANew YorkQatar has affirmed its commitment to continue its tireless efforts to promote and protect elderly rights and work to remove all obstacles that could prevent them from living in dignity and well-being in the shadow of their families and society, in addition to ensuring their participation in the construction and development process at all levels.This came in the statement of Qatar made by the Director of the Family Affairs Department at the Ministry of Social Development and Family Najat Daham Al Abdullah during the 12th session of the United Nations Open-ended Working Group on Ageing.The statement of Qatar noted Cabinet Resolution No 26 of 2019, ratified by His Highness the Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, which established the National Committee for the Affairs of Woman, Children, the Elderly and People with Disabilities, headed by the Minister of Social Development and Family.In this regard, the statement pointed out that the committee aims to protect and promote the rights of women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, and proposes the necessary means to promote and follow up the achievement of the goals contained in related international conventions and covenants.The statement stressed that Qatar has paid increasing attention to human rights, especially the elderly, and has taken legislative, legal, administrative, and other appropriate measures to implement those rights and provide the means to root, develop and modernize them within the framework of integrated social development. This interest was based on the interest of national references, which is at the foremost of Qatar’s permanent constitution, it added.The statement pointed out the launch of Qatar National Vision 2030, the First National Development Strategy (2011-2016), and the Second National Development Strategy (2018-2022) to serve as a clear road map for Qatar’s future.The statement of Qatar stated that the strategy aims to balance the achievements that achieve economic growth with its human, natural, and human resources so that it is comprehensive and benefits the citizens and residents of Qatar in various life stages.In its statement, Qatar highlighted the most important policies and measures taken to protect the elderly from COVID-19, noting that most of the institutions related to the elderly in Qatar have taken precautionary measures to confront the spread of the virus, including the Ministry of Public Health, which took all necessary measures to ensure the protection and safety of the elderly, providing them with social and psychological support in a systematic manner, delivering treatment services and providing them with medicines in their homes, and giving priority to the elderly in receiving the COVID-19 vaccination.The statement also referred to the role of the Ministry of Social Development and Family and its creation of 33 electronic services on the ministry’s website to facilitate access to services provided by the ministry without attending in person.The statement of Qatar pointed to the most important legislation and achievements made by the State in the field of elderly rights work, especially in the areas of the contribution of the elderly to sustainable development and economic security. It referred to the Social Security Law and the rules to grant it to stipulated categories to obtain a social security pension for an elderly person who is over 60 years of age and who does not have a capable breadwinner or source of income sufficient to live.The statement indicated that social security provides the elderly with financial aid, other allowances, and exemptions, including housing, according to the law.In its statement, Qatar emphasised the effective role of civil society institutions, including the Center of Empowerment and Elderly Care (Ehsan), of Qatar Foundation for Social Work, which provides care and social services for the elderly in treatment and care. They also help them to overcome the difficulties they face in the areas of economic, social, and rehabilitation, nursing services, physiotherapy and counseling in the field of healthy diets, and providing psychological, social, health, and legal counseling for the elderly.