Geriatric medicine, as a speciality, was introduced in Egypt in 1982, and in 1984 a geriatrics and gerontology unit in Ain Shams University Faculty of Medicine was established.
Egyptian history Many ancient physicians were interested in the field of geriatrics and some of them wrote separate books on this subject. Abu Ali Ibn-Sina Avicenna's The Canon of Medicine (1025) was the first book to offer instruction for the care of the aged. In a chapter entitled "Regimen of Old Age", Avicenna was concerned with how "old folk need plenty of sleep", how their bodies should be anointed with oil, and recommended exercises such as walking or horse-riding. Thesis III of the Canon discussed the diet suitable for old people, and dedicated several sections to elderly patients who become constipated.Avicenna and the care of the aged by TH Howell Gerontologist 1972 12: 424-426.Gerontology and geriatrics in the works of Abu Ali Ibn Sina in Sovetskoe zdravookhranenie
Also the famous Physician Ibn Al-Jazzar (Algizar) Al-Qayrawani (circa 898–980) wrote a special book on the medicine and health of elderly (Kitab Tibb Al Machayikh)Al Jazzar or (Teb Al-Mashaikh wa hefz sehatahom). Also a book on sleep disorders and another one on forgetfulness and how to strengthen memory (Kitab Al Nissian wa Toroq Taqwiati Adhakira)Geritt Bos, Ibn al-Jazzar, Risala fi l-isyan (Treatise on forgetfulness), London, 1995. and a Treatise on causes of mortality (Rissala Fi Asbab Al Wafah). Another Arabic physician in the 9th century, Ishaq ibn Hunayn (died in 910) wrote a Treatise on Drugs for Forgetfulness (Risalah al-Shafiyah fi adwiyat al-nisyan)
Current situation
Covering the cost of healthcare is a major challenge for seniors (defined as 60 years or older in EgyptPaul Kowal & Karen Peachey (2001): Indicators for the Minimum Data Set Project on Ageing: A Critical Review in sub-Saharan Africa. World Health Organization report on 2001 Dar es Salaam MDS Meeting WHO/EIP/GPE/01.1 http://www.who.int/healthinfo/survey/ageing_mds_report_en_daressalaam.pdf). Currently, 62 percent of elderly men have health insurance compared to 35 percent of elderly women. However, medical care for the elderly, in the absence of a comprehensive health insurance plan, is extremely expensive. Few hospitals have wings just for the elderly, two percent of whom have a permanent disability (i.e., 81,000 people). There are only 52 physical therapy centers in Egypt serving 1,258 of those over 60.
Geriatric teaching programs were available in Egypt.
Geriatrics governmental services
Egyptian Universities Beni-Suef University National Institute for Longevity Elderly Sciences NILES established in 2016 by approval from the Higher Council of Education in Egypt Scientific departments of the institute: 1. Department of Geriatric Medicine 2. Department of Geriatric Nursing 3. Department of Geriatric Physical Therapy 4. Department of Geriatric Occupational Therapy 5. Department of Geriatric Nutrition 6. Department of Geriatric Psychology 7. Department of Elderly Engineering and Environmental Studies 8. Department of Elderly Social Studies 9. Department of Elderly sporting and recreation 10. Department of Elderly Arts 11. Department of Geriatric Dentistry 12. Department of Elderly Tourism 13. Department of Geriatric Rehabilitation Nursing 14. Department of Geriatric Economy 15. Department of Geriatric Oestopathy 16. Department of ELderly Laws and Legalizations 17. Department of Geriatric Ophthalmology 18. Department of Geriatric Optometry 19. Department of Elderly Media and communications http://www.bsu.edu.eg/Sector_Home.aspx?cat_id=42 NILES journal for Geriatric and Gerontology ** is a scientific journal that publishes original manuscripts in the different disciplines of the geriatrics and gerontology. The journal vision is to enrich scientific knowledge related to elderly life. https://niles.journals.ekb.eg/
Ain Shams University Geriatric medicine department
The first modern Egyptian book on Geriatric Medicine was by Professor Dr Mohammed Sabbour in 1979Prof Mohamme Sabbour Article about Geriatric Health on his website Professor of Internal Medicine, Ain Shams Faculty of Medicine, who was the first head the Egyptian Geriatrics & Gerontology society in 1982. It started as an outpatient clinic in 25/6/1984 by Dr. Abdelmoneim Ashour (1934–2015) the professor of Geriatric psychiatry, then became a Clinical Unit in 1990 then became an academic department in 1996Ain Shams Geriatric medicine department Ain Shams University Geriatric medicine having its own inpatient department(23 beds)(Coordinates: 30°4'26"N 31°16'33"E), outpatient clinic, follow-up clinic and residents and issuing academic degrees (M.Sc., M.D)in geriatric medicine. During the period from 1992 to 1997 there was a US-Egyptian Partnership Between the University of Minnesota and Ain Shams University Bilateral Research on Training in Geriatrics Funded by the Fulbright Commission. Named as the Fulbright Bi-National Commission Partnership Project with Ain Shams University, Minneapolis, MN and Cairo, Egypt During the 1990s the department had visiting professorships Kenneth Hepburn January, 1995 & February, 1998 Richerd Reed James Pacala Peter Millard Laura Efinger Occupational Therapist 2010 In 2002 the department established a 12 beds Geriatric Intensive care unit (GICU). The department has partnership with United Nations' International Institute of Aging (INIA) in Malta to carry out short-term training programmes in Cairo specifically designed for personnel from the Arab World working in the field of Ageing. The two organisations have also agreed to collaborate in identifying, setting up and implementing projects in the field of Ageing both in the Mediterranean region and in the Arab World. The clinical unit has around 20–25 acute assessment beds, usually for Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA). The unit has interdisciplinary team which works in the assessment stage as well as in the implementing the care plan. The unit has the availability of free medications as well as free medical investigation. The unit is one of 2 clinical units in Egypt in which the clinical service is run by qualified geriatricians. In 2002 the Geriatrics Intensive care unit or high dependency unit was opened in the clinical unit. This unit has 8 beds and is offering a clinical service for the seriously ill elderly patients. This unit offers subsidized service as regard medications and investigation. However, poor patient could get a free service through the ministry of health paying a contribution for treatment. This service is run by qualified geriatricians. Also the department the Osteoporosis Unit This unit offers a diagnostic and a therapeutic service for older patient with generalized bone ache or a suspected diagnosis of the condition. In 2009 a Diploma in Geriatric Medicine, was approved beside the Master of Science degree and Doctoral Degree in Geriatric Medicine. In 2009 the name of the department was changed to Geriatrics & Gerontology department. The department staff provide Academic services & teaching in Ain Shams Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams High Institute of Nursing & Other University program in Egypt The British University in Egypt (BTE), Misr University of Science & Technology University and 6th bof October University. In 2008 the Geriatrics & Gerontology department started cooperation with the Pharmacology Department in establishing the Clinical Pharmacology Unit and starting a weekly clinical pharmacology round.
Alexandria University Faculty of medicine contain a Geriatrics Unit since the 1970s A biweekly geriatrics Outpatient clinic is also available The department have a cooperation with the Geriatric Nursing department of the Faculty of Nursing. Elder health section of the family health department of the High Institute of Public Health of Alexandria University. Postgraduate Program in Geriatric Nursing in the Faculty of Nursing.
Mansoura University Has established its own Geriatrics Unit Inpatient department consists of 2 beds affiliated to the Endocrinology Unit. Geriatric Medicine Residency Program has started since 2006 in Mansura University in Cooperation with the Ain Shams Geriatrics & Gerontology department. Three residents has joined the program until 2009. The department has started a weekly geriatrics outpatient clinic.Mansoura University hospital
Helwan University Center for Elderly Social & Health Care The Center of Elderly Social & Health Care (CEC) was established in 1996. The center is a self-financed unit under the umbrella of the center for community development in Helwan University. The main objective of the center is to provide both the clinical service for older Egyptians as well as trying to develop a geriatric care model which could be transferred to other institutions and organizations involved in older people care in Egypt. The Center Provide Long Term Care service.
Cairo University Geriatric Medicine is a subspeciality of Internal Medicine Department, teaching geriatrics as a part of undergraduate and postgraduate Internal Medicine curriculum. Geriatric Medicine Unit provides outpatient clinic service as well as inpatient consultation for the university hospitals. Faculty of Medicine has the geriatrics speciality included in the public health department, but geriatrics is not a separate entity. It is included in the family medicine curriculum & Family medicine M.Sc. Psychogeriatrics Unit is being established in the psychiatry department.
Assuit University Faculty of Medicine is currently establishing a Geriatric Medicine department.
Tanta University A Psychogeriatrics Unit was established in 2008. The Tanta Faculty of Medicine has organised a conference on Geriatric Medicine in 2009. The Faculty of Nursing has a Post-Graduate Program for Geriatric Nursing.
Suez Canal University Faculty of Medicine has a family medicine department that teaches geriatric medicine course in the undergraduate curse of the first year. Also the Geriatrics module is taught in the postgraduate course of the master's degree and the doctorate degree in family medicine.
Sohag University Has a Geriatric Health Curriculum taught in the Faculty of Nursing, in the Program of Geriatric Nursing.
Geriatric Medicine department at The International Medical center The International Medical center at Cairo-Ismaïlia road. It was established by the Ain Shams Geriatrics & Gerontology department in cooperation with the Physical Medicine department. Inpatient ward consists of 12 bed (Inpatient admission and Day-care service), Geriatrics outpatient clinic, Geriatric Medical Check up Program in collaboration with Physical Medicine department since October 2008.
Police Hospital of Alexandria Geriatric Medicine department was established with the help of Alexandria University Geriatric Unit.
Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population
Ministry of Health and Population In 2002, The number of hospital beds in Egypt was around 141,000, of which about 93,000 beds (66%) were affiliated to the Ministry of Health and Population. The total number of beds for elder people was 3856. The health services were distributed all over the country. In each governorate (province), there are the three levels of health care, primary, secondary and tertiary; but the geriatric specialty is presented mostly in Cairo, and a few big cities. The ministry of health and population started from 2001 to develop health programs targeting older people within its structure.