BRIEF HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL GERONTOLOGY CENTER
The first medical cabinet for the elderly opened in Ulaanbaatar in 1972 as a base for Gerontology and Geriatrics in Mongolia. Gradually, it became a hospital for the elderly and continued operations until its dismissal in 1992 as a result of the socio-economic transition.
In 1998, as a framework of government proved national program on “Health and Social Welfare of Elderly” the Gerontology-Rehabilitation Center was re-established next to the Shastin Clinical Hospital by order №A112 of the Minister of Health and Social Welfare. It was staffed by 3 doctors, 1 nurse and directed by its first head Ya.Tsend. Since 2004, doctors consisting from the medical cabinets for the elderly from Ulaanbaatar city’s District Health Units formed the first “Geriatrician team” to work under the Gerontology- Rehabilitation Center of Shastin Clinical Hospital.
The team worked on disease screening of the elderly and conducted various trainings on Active ageing, collaborating with families and hospitals. In 2005, they initiated the local postgraduate training sponsored by World Health Organization to train geriatricians and geriatric nurses.The National Gerontology Center was established as an independent governmental organization in September 29th 2005 by the Mongolian Government Resolution №209.
According to Order №83 by the Health Minister, dated on March 12th 2009, the National Gerontology Center was expanded to become a specialized health organization.
Thirty years have passed since we first planted the roots of specialized medical service for the elderly in Mongolia. However, it is still a young tree among the sciences in Mongolia.