Kuwait’s health system is currently undergoing a transformation to address the evolving needs prompted by demographic shifts. With the projected increase in its older population, expected to reach 17.5 percent by 2050, the country has introduced crucial initiatives within the health system and the community. In collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), Kuwait has rolled out a comprehensive plan aimed at enhancing age-sensitive healthcare.[1][2] This strategy encompasses the systematic integration of WHO’s Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) guidelines bespoke training programs, stakeholder engagement, including the social sector, and awareness campaigns for improved support and services for older people.[3] These interventions serve as the cornerstone for enhancing the direct care of older adults in Kuwait by instigating a series of systemic reforms. The changes, spanning from elevated professional training to a transformation in public perception, are now driving Kuwait towards a more inclusive, efficient, and sustainable healthcare system tailored to the needs of the ageing population. This aligns with the Decade for Healthy Ageing and WHO's global goal of healthy ageing, including promoting age-friendly environments and communities, contributing to universal health coverage and well-being along the lifecourse which is also a priority of Kuwait Vision 2035.[4][5]

“It is amazing the progress that Kuwait, with the support of the WHO, has been making in the implementation of integrated care for older people, a necessary transformation of the health and care system to better capture and address the heterogeneous needs of the ageing population. The activities have been rapidly proceeding thanks to the active engagement of multiple stakeholders. Indeed, Kuwait represents an example to showcase for the promotion of healthy ageing.”

- Dr Matteo Cesari, Ageing and Health Unit, Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health Organization

How did Kuwait, with the support of WHO, achieve this?

A cornerstone of Kuwait's transformation was the integration of the WHO's Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) guidelines into the country’s primary health care and social services. ICOPE guidelines offer evidence-based recommendations for healthcare professionals to prevent, early detect, slow, or reverse declines in the physical and mental intrinsic capacities of older people. These recommendations require countries to place the needs and preferences of older adults and care givers at the centre, and to coordinate care between health and other sectors. ICOPE guidance helps community and care workers to put the recommendations outlined in the ICOPE Guidelines into practice through developing individual-based care plans. [6]

In 2023, Kuwait initiated a structured and phased approach to introduce and sustain ICOPE. This began with the official incorporation of ICOPE into Kuwait's healthcare system through a collaborative Training of Trainers program which was delivered by WHO Kuwait, with experts from WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean Region and WHO headquarters.[7] Over 46 potential master trainers from diverse fields, including primary care, geriatrics, nursing, psychology, occupational therapy, and physiotherapy, underwent those training programs. The primary objective was to engage them in adapting ICOPE into Kuwait’s care pathways and deepen their comprehension of the multifaceted dimensions of integrated care for older people.

^{2023 Training of Trainers for Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) Cohort.}
Photo credit: Directorate of Geriatrics, Ministry of Health, Kuwait

As a result, ICOPE methods were implemented in five primary healthcare centers across five health governorates by end of 2023. This enhanced the healthcare system's capacity to address the unique needs of older adults while laying the foundation for community-based strategies that maximize older individuals' functional abilities.

To foster broader community engagement all three tiers of WHO, collaborating with the Directorate of Health Services for Older Persons, conducted field visits. These visits entailed meetings with senior officials from the Ministries of Social Affairs and Health, and United Nations (UN) sister agencies. The objective was to sensitize key stakeholders to the social and economic advantages of fostering a health-promoting and longevity-supportive environment. Various settings were considered, from primary healthcare facilities and nursing homes to urban centres, to facilitate improved lifestyles for all.

"Recently, I had a patient who came in the ICOPE clinic showing signs of cognitive and psychological strain. He was open to making changes. He chose to restart his regular workouts. He also embraced mindfulness, specifically breathing exercises, and wisely decided to reduce his work hours. The transformation was remarkable. It's a classic case of someone taking control of their well-being by aligning their lifestyle with their mental and physical health needs."