The Ministry of Social Development (MoSD), in cooperation with the Al Wusta Governorate Office, organised the Al Barakah Forum 2024 in Haima to review the various programmes, services and initiatives provided to the elderly.
The opening of the forum was held under the auspices of Shaikh Ahmed bin Musallam al Kathiri, Governor of Al Wusta. It was attended by Shaikh Rashid bin Ahmed al Shamsi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Social Development, and Sayyidah Maani bint Abdullah bin Hamad al Busaidy, Director-General of the Family Growth Department at the Ministry of Social Development, representatives of various governmental and private agencies and senior citizens .
“The forum targets the elderly and their caregivers, and highlights the role of the Ministry of Social Development in the elderly sector. It aims to educate community members about their health and safety and ways to integrate them into society,” said Ahood al Saadi of MoSD.
The forum also had an exhibition with pavilions displaying initiatives by various entities concerned with serving the elderly such as the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, Omani Women’s Associations in Al Wusta Governorate and a number of private sector institutions. The exhibition also includes a miniature bedouin village that reflects the character and life of the desert in the past.
Community initiatives included health checkups, provision of some electrical appliances and holding a diverse entertainment programme.
These initiatives were sponsored by the Tawasul Charity Foundation, Petroleum Development Oman and Badr Al Samaa.
The "Lammat Duha" initiative accompanying the Baraka Forum, aimed to gather elderly women monthly at the headquarters of the Omani Women's Associations in Al Wusta Governorate, so that they could attend meetings, events, recreational trips, hobbies and craft activities in an atmosphere of familiarity, joy and love and enhance their integration into society.
The forum witnessed the presentation of three working papers by the Ministries of Social Development, Ministry of Health and the Social Protection Fund. The Oman Vision 2040 has given priority to caring for senior citizens by implementing development programmes and activating appropriate policies and mechanisms.
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