Preface
Abdulrazak Abyad ___________________________________________________________________________ In the history of human civilization, the people of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) have long played an integral, if often volatile, role. One of the cradles of humanity and urban culture is MENA. Three of the world's main religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, developed in the area. Universities existed in MENA long before they existed in Europe. The politics, religion, and economy of MENA in modern times have been inextricably connected in ways that affect the globe. The rapid population growth of MENA today exacerbates the challenges these countries are facing as they enter the third millennium. The region has made significant strides in the welfare of their older populations over the past decade. However, the achievements made have varied greatly depending on their economic development, resources and commitment, and are affected by the degree of ageing in each country. This book examines the current situation of older persons in the MENA region, drawing on several sources of data from different writers in the region. Appropriate policies to resolve health care issues for ageing populations are critical for MENA countries if they are to both meet the health care needs of their older populations and continue their economic growth. The publication of the book Population Ageing in Middle East and North Africa constitutes another landmark for the Middle East Academy for Medicine of Ageing. The Academy was founded in 2002 to create a hub for education and training in the field of ageing in the Middle East and North Africa. The academy in collaboration with a large number of national, regional and international organizations launched a series of Advanced Post Graduate Courses. Most recently MEAMA entered in close collaboration with International Institute on Ageing-United Nations-Malta. The Ministry of Health in Kuwait asked MEAMA in 2018 to organize a special training programme in Kuwait for primary health care workers. Furthermore in collaboration with the Tunisian geriatric society MEAMA started special postgraduate cycles for Maghreb area taking place in Tunisia. So far five such cycles have been completed. A total of eight hundred healthcare professionals coming from the MENA region have been trained by the academy so far. MEAMA has been active in a large number of age & ageing & Alzheimer’s conferences including the organization of five middle east congresses on ageing in Istanbul, Lebanon, Riyadh and Qatar. It was instrumental in co-organizing the 1st and 2nd Euro Med Congress in 2018 and 2019. Furthermore, MEAMA collaborated with the Alzheimer’s meeting in Saudi Arabia in January 2020 and with the first Saudi Geriatric Society Conference in Jeddah in March, 2020. The Middle East Association of Ageing and Alzheimer’s is one of the collaborating organizations with MEAMA and has changed the name to the Middle East & North Africa Association of Ageing & Alzheimer’s. MENAAA. This book is the result of collaborative work between MEAMA and INIA fulfilling one of the strategic goals of MEAMA of stimulating geriatrics related publication and research in the MENA region Abdulrazak Abyad MD, MPH, MBA, DBA, AGSF 10 January 2021 |
Preface
Marvin Formosa ___________________________________________________________________________ Unprecedented demographic change and population dynamics are a global phenomenon affecting all countries. Irrespective of the size of a country, population ageing presents challenges related to the economy, wealth, health, political governance, distribution of welfare services, and income security. Contrary to some decades ago, such issues are abundantly covered in newspapers, journals, electronic media, and books. However, whilst American and European countries are increasingly concerned about the ageing and shrinking of their populations, other continents have other preoccupations. As this book demonstrates, Middle-East and North African (MENA) countries are no exceptions to such challenges and preoccupations. However, because MENA countries have diverse economies and their populations are at different stages of transition, this book does not advocate a ‘one size fits all’ solution, and each of the countries represented herein take a unique and exceptional approach to ensure that older persons in their countries age actively, successfully, and productively. The publication of the book Population Ageing in Middle East and North Africa constitutes another milestone for the International Institute on Ageing United Nations - Malta. Since the mandate of this Institute is to provide professional training and research programmes to persons in low-income countries and countries in transition who are responsible for planning, policy formulation and management of ageing or who care for older persons, the dissemination of demographic and policy information is certainly a key endeavour. Since its formation in 1987, the Institute published demographic monographs more than 30 countries, and various policy-oriented treatises on various issues of gerontological and geriatric interest. The Institute is also the publisher of the International Institute on Ageing in Developing Countries. I am sure that Population Ageing in Middle East and North Africa will constitute another feather in the Institute’s cap and will function to set the lens on a geographical region that will experience much quantitative and qualitative changes as far as ageing is concerned in the coming decades. Prof. Marvin Formosa PhD 10 January 2021 |
Middle East Journal of Age & Aging
There are two journals that support MENAAA mission in the area and they are the Middle East Journal of Age & Aging and the Middle East Journal of Psychiatry & Alzheimer's. The Middle East Journal of Age and Aging (ME-JAA) was established in 2003. ME-JAA receives papers from the region and the world, and has a focus on regional and global health issues and the advancement of medicine and health of the people in the MESA region particularly.
ME-JAA follows the Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing, and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals, issued by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE Recommendations), and to the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) code of conduct for editors guidelines.
The Middle East medical journals have played an active role in the ongoing development of academic standards and medical practice in the Middle East, through both the journal and participation in, and support of, regional conferences and events. The journals enjoy a position of great influence and respect, reflected by our top Regional and International Board Members who also support a range of social and medical initiatives we have introduced in the region. Journals are available free online. Journal articles are currently indexed in Ebsco and Al Manhal databases, with interest from further databases.
Submit all materials electronically to aabyad@cyberia.net.lb. Submit manuscript and all materials as one electronic file, except for tables and figures. Each table and figure must be a separate file.
There are two journals that support MENAAA mission in the area and they are the Middle East Journal of Age & Aging and the Middle East Journal of Psychiatry & Alzheimer's. The Middle East Journal of Age and Aging (ME-JAA) was established in 2003. ME-JAA receives papers from the region and the world, and has a focus on regional and global health issues and the advancement of medicine and health of the people in the MESA region particularly.
ME-JAA follows the Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing, and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals, issued by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE Recommendations), and to the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) code of conduct for editors guidelines.
The Middle East medical journals have played an active role in the ongoing development of academic standards and medical practice in the Middle East, through both the journal and participation in, and support of, regional conferences and events. The journals enjoy a position of great influence and respect, reflected by our top Regional and International Board Members who also support a range of social and medical initiatives we have introduced in the region. Journals are available free online. Journal articles are currently indexed in Ebsco and Al Manhal databases, with interest from further databases.
Submit all materials electronically to aabyad@cyberia.net.lb. Submit manuscript and all materials as one electronic file, except for tables and figures. Each table and figure must be a separate file.
Middle East Journal of Psychiatry & Alzheimer's
The Middle East Journal of Psychiatry & Alzheimer's (ME-JPA) is a new peer-reviewed journal to meet the needs of scientists, practitioners, policymakers, and the patients and communities they serve in the Middle-East. The Journal was launched in 2010.
The Journal publishes original clinical and educational research of interest to psychiatrists , geriatricians, primary care physicians , practicing clinicians, residents, and others involved in, services for health related problems in older people. The Journal also publishes special articles and commentaries about the fundamental concepts of medical education, as well as book reviews and international reports. It will fosters the basic and applied sciences of psychiatric medicine, primary care psychiatry, and dementia related disorder.
The Contact details for both journals are below
Chief Editor
Abdulrazak Abyad MD, MPH, MBA, DBA, AGSF, AFCHSE
.........................................................
Editorial Office
Abyad Medical Center & Middle East Longevity Institute
Azmi Street, Abdo Center,
PO BOX 618
Tripoli, Lebanon
Phone: (961) 6-443684
Fax: (961) 6-443685
Email: aabyad@cyberia.net.lb
.........................................................
Publisher
Lesley Pocock
medi+WORLD International
11 Colston Avenue
Sherbrooke 3789
AUSTRALIA
Phone: +61 (3) 9005 9847
Fax: +61 (3) 9012 5857
Email: lesleypocock@mediworld.com.au;
The Middle East Journal of Psychiatry & Alzheimer's (ME-JPA) is a new peer-reviewed journal to meet the needs of scientists, practitioners, policymakers, and the patients and communities they serve in the Middle-East. The Journal was launched in 2010.
The Journal publishes original clinical and educational research of interest to psychiatrists , geriatricians, primary care physicians , practicing clinicians, residents, and others involved in, services for health related problems in older people. The Journal also publishes special articles and commentaries about the fundamental concepts of medical education, as well as book reviews and international reports. It will fosters the basic and applied sciences of psychiatric medicine, primary care psychiatry, and dementia related disorder.
The Contact details for both journals are below
Chief Editor
Abdulrazak Abyad MD, MPH, MBA, DBA, AGSF, AFCHSE
.........................................................
Editorial Office
Abyad Medical Center & Middle East Longevity Institute
Azmi Street, Abdo Center,
PO BOX 618
Tripoli, Lebanon
Phone: (961) 6-443684
Fax: (961) 6-443685
Email: aabyad@cyberia.net.lb
.........................................................
Publisher
Lesley Pocock
medi+WORLD International
11 Colston Avenue
Sherbrooke 3789
AUSTRALIA
Phone: +61 (3) 9005 9847
Fax: +61 (3) 9012 5857
Email: lesleypocock@mediworld.com.au;