Muscat – Ihsaan Association launched its fifth ambulance on Thursday to help the elderly and the disabled reach hospitals for healthcare needs.

Speaking to Muscat Daily, Jokha Mohammed Khamis al Farsi, head and founder of Ihsaan Association, said, “The initiative aims to provide the elderly in the sultanate with social care, in order to ensure a better life for them.”

Jokha said that the association launched the services of its fifth ambulance under the patronage of Mohammed al Kindi, Deputy Governor of Muscat.

“Our association provides an ambulance service to help the elderly and the disabled reach hospitals for routine check-ups and other healthcare needs.

We have provided 3,000 elderly persons with access to hospitals in Muscat and other wilayats, so far. We have 100 volunteers, 50 of whom are ambulance drivers,” Jokha said.

The association aims to strengthen the bonds between members of society and teach the society to care for the elderly. “We hold awareness seminars among community members, such as in schools and Omani women’s associations and talk about the needs and assisting the elderly,” she added.

The association recently started an initiative where foster families were arranged for 22 elderly persons in different wilayats of the sultanate. “We arranged alternative families for older people who have no children or relatives to care for. These foster families provide them all that they need, from lodging, food to healthcare.

“We hope to have financial support from private companies for the establishment of our new headquarters. We also seek to set up a special social entertainment club for the elderly,” Jokha said.