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Sweden impressed by UAE’s care for elderly

ABU DHABI — The system adopted by the UAE health and social sectors in catering to the elderly people is advanced and effective, according to Swedish Minister of Health and Social Affairs Goran Hagglund.

The Swedish minister was on a three-day official visit to the country, heading a high-level delegation to explore possible areas of cooperation between the two countries in the field of health and social services.

The 31-member delegation consisted of healthcare professionals, representatives of renowned Swedish healthcare and rehabilitation institutions and pharmaceuticals companies.

Hagglund held talks with Minister of Health Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qutami and Minister for Social Affairs Mariam Mohammed Khalfan Al Roumi.

In an interview with Khaleej Times, Hagglund stated that his country will contemplate means and ways of benefiting from the UAE policy regarding services provided for old people.

“In the UAE, elderly people are taken care of in a way where sons and daughters are involved. I hope Sweden will benefit from the UAE expertise in this regard in order to provide old people with a social life and home care,” he said.

Hagglund underlined that Sweden’s policy on taking care of elderly people is mainly based on keeping them in a specialised centre where they receive medical care.

The Swedish minister said he was very impressed with the healthcare system in the country and the social development witnessed by the UAE, but noted that the UAE ought to find a more cost-controlled treatment. “The UAE has a quality healthcare system. However, I think it is very important to have cost-controlled treatment where costs can be controlled and, at the same time, quality medical care is secured,” suggested Hagglund. He said the two sides also discussed ways of fighting ailments like diabetes, which is also prevalent in Sweden, as well as best criteria for hospitals management.

“We have discussed the different systems followed by our countries regarding the social security. I hope we could benefit from each other’s experience in this field. I believe there should always be a change in regulations and laws for the betterment of social services.”