Elderly inmates' helpers at RAK facility under ministry payroll

Ras Al Khaimah: The Ministry of Health has decided to take 15 helpers at the Old People Care Home in Shaam on its payroll, ending a controversial issue with the aged inmates, who requested those employees to move with them to the new location.

The problem over the helpers' future surfaced following a recent decision by the Ministry to shift the aged people of Old People Care Home in Shaam to Obaid Allah Hospital.

These employees at the Home were taking care of the inmates for the last two decades. Accepting the request, the Ministry of Health announced sponsoring the salaries of these workers.

Shift

Aisha Beshr, Administrator in charge of the home said that the helpers will move with the aged persons to their new place in Obaid Allah Hospital in the next two months.

She added that once the necessary and final preparations are made at the hospital, the people in the home will be immediately moved.

The elderly inmates at the Shaam facility made it clear that they would never move to Obaid Allah Hospital unless they are escorted with their assistants who have been serving them for the past 20 years.

Aisha said the Old People Care Home in Shaam accommodates 18 men, 10 women, five disabled men and three disabled women.

For the past few years, the home had a long list for other elderly people waiting to be admitted, but the capacity of the home could not allow it. Once a bed becomes vacant, a person on top of the list is admitted.