- Dr. El-Minshawy: Assiut University is increasingly committed to elderly care and advancing specialized medical disciplines.

On Thursday, July 31, Assiut University launched the First Scientific Day of the Geriatrics Unit, affiliated with the Department of Internal Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine. Held under the theme: “Building the Future of Elderly Care,” the event took place under the patronage of Dr. Ahmed El-Minshawy, President of the University. The event was attended by Dr. Ahmed Abdel-Mawla, Vice President for Education and Student Affairs; Dr. Mahmoud Abdel-Aleem, Vice President for Community Service and Environmental Development; and was supervised by Dr. Alaa Attia, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Chairman of the University Hospitals’ Board; Dr. Mohamed El-Yemany, Head of the Department of Internal Medicine; and Dr. Soheir Kassem, Head of the Geriatrics Unit and Chairperson of the Scientific Day.

The event witnessed the participation of a distinguished group of academic and medical leaders, including: Dr. Mohamed Abdelrahman, Vice Dean for Education and Student Affairs at the Faculty of Medicine; Dr. Mohamed Zain, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health in Assiut; Dr.  Khaled Abdelaziz, Director of the Main University Hospital; as well as Dr. Nour El-Din Abdelazim and Dr. Alaa Abdel-Moneim, Professors of Internal Medicine and Critical Care and honorary chairpersons of the Scientific Day, along with a number of professors specializing in geriatrics from various Egyptian universities.

Dr. El-Minshawy affirmed that the organization of this first Scientific Day of the Geriatrics Unit reflects the university’s strong commitment to its societal and humanitarian role in caring for the elderly and providing them with the best medical and therapeutic services. He emphasized that the university strives to support all specialized medical fields that address societal needs, particularly geriatrics.

He added that the establishment of a specialized unit in this field is a pivotal step in the development of the university health system, and reflects the university's vision towards enhancing the quality of health care by integrating medical expertise, scientific research and modern technologies, praising the efforts of those who organized this scientific day, including specialized scientific sessions and meaningful discussions that contribute to shaping a better future for elderly care in Egypt.

For his part, Dr. Ahmed Abdel-Mawla highlighted the university’s dedication to supporting the Geriatrics Unit and providing the necessary resources to strengthen its scientific and service roles. He pointed out that supporting specialized medical units is a top priority due to their direct impact on improving healthcare quality.

Dr. Mahmoud Abdel-Aleem also praised the unit’s vital role in community service, stressing that caring for the elderly is one of the core areas of the Community Service and Environmental Development Sector. He emphasized the importance of raising health awareness among seniors regarding prevention and self-care.

Dr. Alaa Attia explained that the Department of Internal Medicine is one of the main pillars of the Faculty of Medicine and university hospitals, providing advanced therapeutic services. He added that the department offers 11 scientific degrees, including a Master’s degree in Gerontology, which was approved on October 17, 2024. This milestone reflects the faculty’s dedication to supporting specialized fields that address societal needs.

During his speech, Dr. Mohamed Zain expressed his pride in participating in this important scientific event, commending the ongoing efforts in elderly care. He also expressed hope that the sessions would yield scientific outcomes and recommendations that contribute to improving services for the elderly.

Dr. Khaled Abdelaziz presented the experience of establishing the Geriatrics Unit at the Main University Hospital, explaining that it includes two fully equipped clinics that serve both male and female patients aged 65 and above throughout the week, thereby ensuring integrated medical services in a suitable environment for the elderly.

Dr. Mohamed El-Yemany noted that the Geriatrics Unit stands as a distinguished model in the field of specialized medicine, as it focuses on prevention, diagnosis and treatment, as well as addressing the psychological and social dimensions of elderly care to enhance their quality of life.

Dr.Nour El-Din Abdelazim emphasized that the Geriatrics Unit at Assiut University is the first of its kind in Upper Egypt and the third nationwide to offer a Master’s degree in this specialty. He attributed this achievement to the tireless efforts and continuous support from the university administration.

Dr. Soheir Kassem explained that the Scientific Day featured a number of specialized sessions addressing key health issues affecting the elderly, including internal diseases, oncology, neurological problems, and nursing care. In addition to highlighting the role of artificial intelligence and modern technology in the diagnosis and treatment of geriatric diseases.

The Scientific Day also included a recognition ceremony honoring a group of academic and medical leaders in appreciation of their support for the Geriatrics Unit. Honorees included:
Dr. Ahmed Abdel-Mawla, Dr.Mahmoud Abdel-Aleem, Dr. Alaa Attia, Dr. Mohamed Abdelrahman, Dr. Mohamed Zain, Dr. Khaled Abdelaziz, Dr.  Mohamed El-Yemany, Dr. Mohamed Ali Tohamy (Founder of the Nephrology Unit at Assiut University), Dr. Osama Farouk (Professor of Orthopedic Surgery), Dr. Sara Hamza, and Dr. Doha El-Rashidi (Professors of Geriatrics at Ain Shams University).