Initiative launched for elderly Emiratis

As part of its Ramadan initiatives and in conjunction with the Year of Tolerance, the Ministry of Health and Prevention’s Youth Council (MoHAP’s Youth Council) organised, on Thursday evening, a Ramadan night under the theme “Ramadan Zaman” at the Old People’s Home in Sharjah.

The initiative included enormous activities and events, among which were Ramadan Iftar with elderly people and MoHAP employees, recreational activities and shows, and some traditional games and activities.

In this context, Dr Rashid Al Hashimi, Member of the Youth Council, said: “We are always keen on enhancing the noble values of our society through the constant communication with elderly people to listen to their stories and advice. Through these initiatives, we also aim at consolidating our values, customs, and traditions in terms of respecting elderly people and returning the favor of their contributions in building our homeland. The initiative also is aligned with the objectives of the National Policy for senior Emiratis which aims to provide an integrated system ensuring decent life for the old people.

While Rawan Al Ali, Member of the Youth Council, said: “MoHAP has several initiatives for the old people, including the provision of home care and conducting field visits for them in different areas, noting that the Holy Month of Ramadan is characterised by charity deeds and social communication.”

This makes the humanitarian visits and initiatives achieving their goals since the arrangements of this night and its accompanying activities stem from the enhancement of the social cooperation among members of the society and consolidation of solidarity notion.  

Separately, with the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan imminent, the Abu Dhabi Awards organising committee paid a warm visit to a group of the elderly in the Al Khair “goodness” unit of Al Rahba Hospital on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr.

During the visit, members of the organising committee offered their companionship and delivered thoughtful care packages to the elderly patients, including dates, books, oud, rosaries, and other traditional gifts.

The visit came as part of the Abu Dhabi Awards’ programme of community outreach events lined up for the remainder of the year, which seeks to activate goodness across the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The Abu Dhabi Awards, which announced the launch of its 10th nomination cycle last week, is a Government initiative that honours unsung heroes who have selflessly dedicated their time to helping others and positively impacted the Abu Dhabi community.

Regarded as the emirate’s highest civilian honour, anyone who has made a positive contribution towards the emirate and community of Abu Dhabi is eligible for the award, regardless of their age, gender, nationality or place of residency.

The Al Khair unit at Al Rahba Hospital, which comprises a total of 12 beds, was officially inaugurated in 2017 in line with the UAE’s Year of Giving.

Befitting its namesake, which means “goodness” in Arabic, the unit strives to provide healthcare and rehabilitation for long-term patients from multiple nationalities and all walks of life.

Dana Al Mutawa, member of the Abu Dhabi Awards organising committee, commented on the visit: “Loneliness can be a real issue, particularly for those that are unwell in the hospital. Many of us think of travelling far and wide to give back with acts of goodwill, but it’s important to remember that we have people in our own community that are in need of care and attention.

“This Eid Al Fitr, we’d like to encourage citizens and residents to pay it forward by helping those less fortunate than themselves within their local communities, in any way that they can”, continued Al Mutawa.

Another way that people can pay it forward is through making a nomination for this year’s Abu Dhabi Awards, which is an act of goodness in and of itself. Nominations can be made by visiting the Abu Dhabi Awards website, www.abudhabiawards.ae.

Established in 2005 under the guidance and patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the Abu Dhabi Awards have been celebrating the good in people for more than a decade.

Its mandate is to honour those individuals who have selflessly dedicated themselves to helping others, thus contributing to the development Emirate of Abu Dhabi. An Abu Dhabi Award is the highest civilian honour in Abu Dhabi.