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Discussion
The problems the societies will meet in the Middle-East area, regarding
the increasing number of older people and their health related problems
have been recognized. In some countries initiatives have been undertaken
to develop services in the community. Comparing the situation in the
Middle-East area with the European Union large differences were shown.
Although it was suggested to start national societies and to harmonize
the developments between countries, it has also been advised not to copy
the European Union structure, but just to use knowledge and experiences
from the European Union to build up a system adapted to the regional
needs and cultural habits. It was a pleasure to feel the engagement of
the participants to combine their
experiences with the problems in their patients, with the wish to build
up a sufficient structure at the national and international level. The
discussions started during this first session and the MEAMA seems to be
an excellent forum for the exchange of ideas and knowledge between
countries to stimulate the developments for services, education and
training.
An important problem for both the Middle-East area
and the European Union is the shortage of well trained professors,
teachers and scientists for the field of health care for older people
for both physicians and nurses 5. A problem that can only
be solved by the selection of promising young persons to be educated and
trained for teaching and research positions.
The evaluation of the session by the participants was excellent, with
correct critical and constructive remarks. After this discussion the
topics for the next sessions were changed. The next session in
April 1-4, 2004, will be focused on ‘Care
for older patients: who should be referred to hospital?’ and
‘Which facilities needs a hospital to meet the problems of older
patients?’ and ‘Common
problems in older patients?’. For the third session in October 7-10,
2004, the subject is ‘Care for older patients: quality of life,
services and education; guidelines and how to improve quality?’
BACK NEXT
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| Table
1. Life expectancy at birth for 2001 in Middle-East countries |
| Egypt |
68.3
years |
| Iran,
Islamic Republic of |
69.8
years |
| Jordan |
70.6
years |
| Syrian
Arabic Republic |
71.5
years |
| Qatar |
71.8
years |
| Saudi
Arabia |
71.9
years |
| Oman |
72.2
years |
| Libyan
Arab Jamahirya |
72.4
years |
| Lebanon |
73.3
years |
| United
Arabic Emirates |
74.4
years |
| Bahrain |
73.7
years |
| Kuwait |
76.3
years |
Source:
Human Development Report 2003 3 .
|
Table
2. Life expectancy in different parts of the world with
a
‘high
human development’ |
|
Portugal |
75.9
years |
|
United Kingdom |
77.9
years |
|
Spain |
79.1
years |
|
Sweden |
79.9
years |
|
United States of America |
76.9
years |
|
Australia |
79.0
years |
|
Canada |
79.2
years |
|
Japan |
81.3
years |
Source:
Human Development Report 2003 3 . |