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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | WHO calls for greater attention to aging India

WHO calls for greater attention to aging India

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published Published on Apr 4, 2012   modified Modified on Apr 4, 2012
-The Hindu 
 
“Population aged 60 and above will grow to 17% by 2050”

The World Health Organisation (WHO) in partnership with the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has called for greater attention to the aging of India's population, its implications for health policy and for promotion of a society where the elderly can live full, enriching and productive lives.

“In India, as all around the world, people are living longer. Undoubtedly the population of India is aging and will continue to age steadily in the next few decades. It is estimated that the population aged 60 years and above will grow from 77 million (7.4% of the total population) in 2001 up to 300 million (17%) by 2050,'' noted a release issued by WHO here on Tuesday.

Stating that the aging of the population has major implications for the Indian health system and society as a whole and that this needs to be further researched, understood and addressed by relevant and appropriate policies and actions, WHO representative to India Dr. Nata Menabde said: “The challenge for India, as for countries all over the world, is not only to add further years to life but more importantly to add life to years and to ensure that the elderly can live full, enriching and productive lives. For this to be possible, good health is essential.''

With a steady increase in life expectancy and the elderly population, the burden of non-communicable diseases (including heart disease and stroke, cancers, diabetes, mental health problems, vision and hearing impairment) will continue to grow, putting significant additional demands on health services. “With the trend towards nuclear family, care of the elderly population at the family level will become difficult. Long-term care of the old and very old will need additional inputs from the families and governments,” said WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia, Dr. Samlee Plianbangchang.

In the years to come, there will be a need to further improve the access of the elderly population to preventive, curative and rehabilitative services. “The launch of the National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE) by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is an important step in that direction,'' added Dr. Nata Menabde.

Appropriate age-friendly health care services for the elderly will need to be stepped up. Measures at all ages of life, “from the womb to the tomb”, need to be taken to prevent sufferings and the skyrocketing of health costs, said Dr. Samlee Plianbangchang. A balanced diet, refraining from smoking and maintaining a reasonable physical activity can make a major difference.

On World Health Day (April 7) this year, 19 State level meetings as well as a national meeting are being organised and WHO will support a one-day national meeting at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on April 7. It will include a walkathon with elderly participants. The key messages for highlighting the issue of the elderly include: “Older people are a valuable resource for their societies and should feel valued, good health throughout life helps us make the most of the positive aspects of aging and societies, which take care of their older populations and support their active participation in daily life, will be better prepared to cope with the changing world.”

The Hindu, 4 April, 2012, http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/article3278805.ece


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