Mercy for the elderly; Oman's abandoned seniors

CAIRO – 13 July 2017: When 88 year old Najma Al-Sahalani suffered a stroke and was admitted to the hospital by her daughter, her child failed to return two months later. Najma was abandoned by her own daughter at Rostaq Hospital, in the South Batnah region of Oman.

Sadly, her fate is one that is becoming increasingly shared by the aging population of Oman, as social workers report that a rising number of middle-aged Omani’s leave their aging parents behind for their careers in the city, unable to handle them any longer.

Another tragic example of this trend is of 79 year old Mahmood Al-Salam, who, after breaking his back in an attempt to fix a light bulb in his house alone, was left at a hospital last November, where he spent the last five months of his life alone, not a single family member visiting him in that time.

Salam was buried at the local mosque, by people who never knew him.

As more of Oman’s women look to lead their own independent lives and careers, less people will be able to fully look after their aging family members. The number of Omani aged 65 and above is estimated to reach 75,000 by the year 2025, many of which will be unable to look after themselves due to ailing physical and mental health.