Aging Issues in Saudi Arabia Term Paper

Total Length: 2323 words ( 8 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 5

Page 1 of 8

Neither is any proper information available on the cost of treatment and care giving. In the absence of old age homes and nursing centers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, there is lack of information on how to properly take care and handle those old aged people who are suffering from the Alzheimer's disease. Such patients who live with their families and relatives are unable to receive proper treatment and care because of the nature of the Alzheimer's disease. It becomes very difficult to understand the symptoms and the condition of a patient if one is not aware or does not have any prior knowledge about the Alzheimer's disease. This has been a common problem prevalent in the Saudi society for the patients suffering from the Alzheimer's.

Although, it has been quite late when it comes to a disease like the Alzheimer's, the Saudi government has taken notice and initiative of the disease in the country. In 2002, following a national survey and a medical symposium at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Hospital where several neurologists gave their presentations regarding the nature, danger and risks of the Alzheimer's disease, it was announced that the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Hospital would collaborate with various national hospitals in carrying out a national survey that evaluated the number of existing Alzheimer's patients in the country (Hassan, 2002). This was to be achieved through registering patients at the hospitals as they would check in. Following the survey, the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Hospital conducted several seminars in the flowing years and has continued its research upon the disease till date I search of a cure for this disease, while also creating awareness and creating information channels so that people could be made informed about the disease, the treatment and care techniques.

In view of the importance, the increasing spreading and the critical nature of the Alzheimer's disease, the Saudi government took full initiative to deal with this problem. In 2009, the Deputy Minister of Interior Prince Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz inaugurated the establishment of the Saudi Association for Alzheimer Disease (SADA). With this move, the government intended to spread awareness to the general Saudi public about the Alzheimer's disease and its dangers, its prevention methods and care techniques, in order to ensure that the disease did not affect the masses in an uncontrolled manner. The association was also targeted to ensure to put in efforts in the fight against the Alzheimer's disease, whilst also pushing to locate appropriate treatments and other factors for the disease.
The association functioned through charitable donations from the Saudi government while it was supported in its efforts by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Social Affairs.

The Saudi Association for Alzheimer Disease (SADA) has been critical since its inception in spreading awareness about the Alzheimer's disease. The association has continued to hold medical seminars and present lectures at various institutions, such as hospitals, research centers, universities, social and charity events, as part of its awareness campaign. In addition, the association has been in continuous collaboration with other similar associations present in the Gulf States, and also in the western world in order to find cures and improved treatments for the Alzheimer's disease. In order to spread awareness amongst all members of the Saudi public, the association has established its website which informs people about the Alzheimer's disease. The website also provides information about the steps to take in order to cope up with the disease and continue battling with it with appropriate factors and techniques.

Although the Saudi government has neglected the Alzheimer's disease for a long time, the threat the disease poses has pushed the government, which is more supportive towards an improved public health care system in the country, to take such vital steps such as SADA, and also collaborating with national and global organizations to carry out research against the Alzheimer's disease. The efforts have been quite recent but the targets set by the government regarding the Alzheimer's disease show clear intent of Saudi government to develop and progress against such lethal diseases.

Bibliography

Aboul-Enein, F. (2005). Facing the future: elder care in Saudi Arabia. Reflect Nurse Leadership., 31(1):24-6, 36.

Almalki, M., Fitgerald, G., & Clark, M. (2011 ). Health care system in Saudi Arabia: an overview. East Mediterr Health J, (10):784-93.

Central Intelligence Agency. (2013, February 21). The World Factbook. Retrieved from www.cia.gov: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sa.html

Hassan, J. (2002, January 6). KFSH plans survey on incidence of Alzheimer's disease. Retrieved from Arab News: http://www.arabnews.com/node/217463

Ogunniyi, A., Daif, A., Al-Rajeh, S., Abdul-Jabbar, M., Al-Tanhan, A., Al-Bunyan, M., et al. (1998). Dementia in Saudi Arabia: experience from a university hospital. cta Neurol Scand., 98(2):116-20.

Pallot, P. (2011, Aug 19). The Telegraph. Retrieved from www.telegraph.co.uk: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/expathealth/8701829/Expat-guide-to-Saudi-Arabia-health-care.html

WHO . (2012, April). Media Centre: Fact Sheet- Dementia. Retrieved from World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs362/en/.....

Need Help Writing Your Essay?