The program, dubbed "Adding life to years and not years to life," was carried out by the Ministry of Health in all 20 health regions in the Kingdom with the help of their respective governorates.

Regional directors of the ministry organized various programs in their respective directorates to create public awareness of the treatment of elders in society.

Dr. Essam Al-Ghamdi, director of the general directorate of primary health care centers (PHCs), said the Kingdom is determined to address the challenges facing the elderly population in obtaining comprehensive health care.

Al-Ghamdhi pointed out that preventive and curative medical services carried out by PHCs have increased the lifespan of elderly people in the Kingdom.

"Saudi Arabia has witnessed an increase in the number of the elderly, which is expected to rise to 10 percent of the total population of the Kingdom by 2025 from 4.8 percent in 2000,” he said. He predicted that it would further increase to 12.9 percent in 2050.

“The world is aging rapidly. The proportion of the elderly above 60 years will rise to 22 percent in 2050 from 10 percent,” he said.

"In line with the directives of the World Health Organization for the care of elderly people in primary health care, the Kingdom had prepared an integrated program based on the national strategy for the health of the elderly (2010-2015)," Al-Ghamdhi said.

"We have set up more than 100 PHCs in all parts of the Kingdom to concentrate on elderly patients. Each health region has at least five such centers devoted for senior citizens."

These centers, he said, are manned by health officials specialized in the treatment of elderly patients.

Under the program, he said, health officials would strive for early detection of health problems and treat them accordingly to reduce the possibilities of disabilities occurring and increase longevity.

"The health officials will not only provide medical treatment to the elderly but also give them psychiatric counseling.”

The health officials will also meet the families of elderly people and give them regular guidance on how to look after them.