The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), organised a three-day specialised training programme aimed at equipping healthcare professionals with the skills and knowledge to implement the Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) approach.
Held in Dubai, the programme forms part of the national initiative to promote elderly health and aligns with the National Framework for Healthy Ageing 2025–2031.
The training targeted a select group of doctors and healthcare specialists, focusing on enhancing their capacity to assess the physical, cognitive, and psychological health of older adults and to develop personalised care plans that support independence and improve quality of life.
Sessions included presentations on international best practices, practical simulations of real case studies, and discussions on integrating health and social care services to strengthen the UAE’s healthy ageing system.
Topics covered included progress in achieving the objectives of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030), a global initiative led by WHO involving governments, civil society, international agencies, professionals, and academia. The programme also examined the current status of healthy ageing in the UAE and the Eastern Mediterranean Region, along with hands-on training in using ICOPE assessment tools to monitor mobility, sensory, and cognitive changes.
The programme further explored integrated care pathways to address common challenges in older age, such as cognitive decline, depression, nutritional and mobility issues, and sensory impairments including hearing and vision loss. Demonstrations of the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) were provided, alongside guidance on developing personalised care plans tailored to individual needs.
The UAE also outlined its future strategies to enhance elderly health, including the development of social support systems and the upskilling of caregivers, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to empowering healthcare and social workforces and ensuring integrated, high-quality elderly care.
Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Public Health Sector at MoHAP, emphasised that the programme is part of a broader national strategy to strengthen elderly health, in line with the ministry’s priorities for the Year of Community.
He highlighted that investing in older adults’ health is both a humanitarian and national responsibility, serving as a key pillar for social cohesion and sustainable development, while demonstrating the UAE’s commitment to becoming a global leader in healthy ageing.
He added, “When designing this integrated programme, our priority was to leverage the World Health Organisation’s expertise and adapt it to the realities of our national health and social systems. By doing so, we aim to ensure the sustainability of preventive and therapeutic services for the elderly, while empowering national cadres with the tools and capabilities needed to assess and meet their evolving needs. This represents a strategic step towards consolidating the UAE’s leadership in developing forward-looking policies that link the health and social sectors and deliver holistic, people-centred services.”
(Inputs from WAM)
