DAMASCUS, (SANA) – The Ministry of Health, in cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO) and al-Bustan Charity, on Sunday held a festivity on the occasion of the World Health Day at Dar al-Karameh for the Elderly in Damascus.

The festival is held under the title ' Good Health Can Add Life to Years', focusing on issues related to elderly health and aging.

Minister of Health Dr. Wael al-Halqi, said that the Syrian constitution concentrated on the importance of providing healthcare for all citizens, including the elderly people.

He underlined the necessity of cooperation with the concerned ministries and the WHO to improve healthcare services provided for the elderly.

For his part, Resident Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Syria Ibrahim Beit Al-Mal hailed the efforts of the Ministry of Health exerted to provide the best healthcare for the elderly people.

He indicated that the number of the elderly who can't take care of themselves is expected to rise fourfold by the year 2050 in the developing countries.

The event included honoring a number of elderly residents and the medical staff at the center.

M. Nassr/ R. Raslan