SDPI, Ibni Sina Institute Turkiye Call for Global Convention on Ageing, Push for Geriatric Care in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 7th Sep, 2026) The Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), in collaboration with the Ibni Sina Institute, Turkiye, on Monday held a special talk on "Ageing and Development," bringing together experts to discuss the health, policy and spiritual dimensions of an ageing world population.
Gerontologist and President of the Ibni Sina Institute and the World Ageing Organization, Dr Kemal Aydin was the guest speaker.
Dr Kemal noted that the discussion covered the spiritual, health, and policy aspects of ageing. He shared his background, recalling his completion of an MBBS from Allama Iqbal Medical University, Lahore, and subsequent study of Islam. He expressed a desire to develop a geriatric institution at the South Asia level, highlighting that Pakistan has many expert geriatricians working abroad who could contribute to this goal.
According to Dr Aydin, Europe leads in geriatric psychology and care, while ageing Muslim minorities in Europe often lack awareness of Islamic concepts of caregiving. He observed that following the third World Assembly on Ageing held by the UN, a subsequent assembly was held in Turkiye in 2023 focusing on the Islamic concept of ageing.
He emphasized that:
- Ageing is not limited to a specific cohort but is inclusive.
- Development approaches to ageing should be inclusive as well.
- The concepts of age-friendly communities and age-friendly workplaces emerged from UN efforts.
Dr Aydin called for stronger linkages between universities working on longevity and ageing for development. He stressed that ageing is a process, not a disease, and that older individuals can continue to contribute through their experience, knowledge, and wisdom. He noted that the elderly are often overlooked as a source of barakah (blessing).
Referring to the ongoing UN General Assembly session in New York, he advocated for a global convention on ageing, arguing that the elderly population remains neglected worldwide.
He cited UN data showing that the global population of elderly persons currently stands at one billion, projected to reach two billion by 2050, and called for global funding to train geriatric nurses, doctors, and caregivers.
Dr Aydin proposed:
- Community-based care to reduce repeated hospital visits.
- Developing age-friendly smart cities.
- A "hospital at home" initiative funded publicly and supported through community mobilization, drawing on the European model.
- A "sister cities" initiative between Turkiye and Pakistan.
