In an effort to address the environmental and social factors that contribute to active and health ageing in societies, Al-Zawyia age friendly city project was launched in 2012. An age-friendly city encourages active ageing by optimizing opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance the quality of life as people age.
In practical terms, an age-friendly city adapts its structures and services to be accessible to, and inclusive of older people with varying needs and capacities.
WHO country office support
The WHO country office provided a series of technical support missions in Al-Zawyia city, Tripoli to facilitate the implementation of the WHO age friendly city project in cooperation with the Libyan national centre for disease control.
The city adapted its infrastructure and primary health care services to the WHO age friendly cities guidelines. The country office also conducted several orientation workshops to familiarize the Ministry of Health staff members with the WHO related guidelines.
The Ministry of Health has officially inaugurated a number of age friendly primary health care units in Al Zawyia. The development of a monitoring and evaluation tool for the regular assessment of the services is underway.
The WHO country office is currently working closely with elderly health unit at the national centre for disease control, to develop a capacity building strategy for health professional in the field of elderly health with focus on age friendly primary health care facilities.
Related links
WHO global network of age-friendly cities and communities
WHO Eastern Mediterranean network of age-friendly cities
10 facts on ageing and the life course
Related publications
Global age-friendly cities and communities: a guide
Checklist of essential features of age-friendly cities
WHO Global Network of age-friendly cities
Age-friendly primary health care centres toolkit
The Dublin Declaration on age-friendly cities and communities [pdf 2.82kb]