Arabian Gulf University has launched a postgraduate diploma program in geriatric nursing, which the university is offering as part of its efforts to develop specialized health education programs and prepare qualified nursing professionals capable of meeting the growing healthcare needs of the elderly in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
The launch of the program comes amid demographic shifts in the Gulf states, a rising average life expectancy, and the accompanying increase in the need for specialized and long-term healthcare services for the elderly, as well as the growing prevalence of chronic diseases and complex health conditions associated with aging.
The diploma aims to prepare male and female nurses with advanced knowledge, skills, and competencies in geriatric nursing, enabling them to provide specialized nursing care in accordance with the latest evidence-based practices, and to effectively manage complex health conditions, in addition to developing leadership and professional practice skills and contributing to the improvement of the quality of health services provided to the elderly.
Dr. Hawazin Omar Al-Rawas, Head of the Nursing Department at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, explained that the launch of the diploma program represents an academic response to the rapidly evolving healthcare needs of the elderly in the region, noting that the program focuses on building specialized nursing competencies that combine scientific knowledge with clinical practice, thereby enhancing practitioners’ ability to provide safe and comprehensive care centered on the needs of the elderly.
She emphasized that the program aligns with the health priorities and national strategies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in the areas of healthcare for the elderly, improving quality of life, and the development of a specialized healthcare workforce, noting that training specialized nursing professionals in this field contributes to supporting the development of the healthcare system and addressing the future needs of Gulf societies.
The launch of the Postgraduate Diploma in Geriatric Nursing represents a new addition to the system of specialized health education programs at Arabian Gulf University and reflects the university’s commitment to its regional role in developing health professionals and responding to health and societal transformations in the Gulf states, thereby contributing to the quality of care provided to the elderly and enhancing the health sector’s readiness for future needs.