Illustrative image (Source: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – has emphasised the need to
provide better for the elderly by developing a standardised
caring system in health facilities and in the community, especially for those
in rural and mountainous areas.
Localities
should launch physical exercise movements among the elderly and make the
performance of physical exercises of the elderly part of cultural festivals, he
said during a Vietnam National Committee for Elderly (VNCE)’s conference in Hanoi on December 27.
The Deputy
PM noted that the Ministry of Health and the Vietnam Social Insurance are
working together on a plan to make health records for individuals, which will firstly
benefit senior people and children.
Enterprises,
organisations and individuals with outstanding achievements in implementing
support policies for senior people should be honoured while public buildings
should be designed friendly to the elderly, he stated.
He also
asked the Ministry of Education and Training and other relevant agencies to design
continuous learning programmes for senior people, while encouraging those with rich
knowledge and experience to join in communicating law in public education
centres.
According
to the VNCE, Vietnam
has over 10 million senior people, who account for nearly 11 percent of the
population, 18.6 percent of whom are 80 and above.
As many as
6.63 million of the senior people, or 65.7 percent, are living in rural areas,
while about 22 percent are living in poor households.
As part of
efforts to support the elderly, many localities have applied transportation
discounts for them, along with 15 percent reduction in aviation and railway
tickets.
Deputy Minister
of Health Pham Le Tuan also revealed that a model of giving long-term and
comprehensive health care service launched by the ministry in Hanoi’s Soc Son
district is being implemented effectively, which is expected to expand to other
localities.
Currently,
Vietnam
has 50 central and provincial hospitals having the geriatrics faculty, 302 facilities
providing a check-up space exclusively for the senior, as well as 37,622
courtesy beds and 2,522 health care staff specialised in geriatrics.
However,
the VNCE pointed to limitations in public awareness and support policies for
the elderly, as many old people are living in poverty.
Members of
the committee proposed a number of adjustments in policies for ,
especially for those from poor localities and ethnic minority groups.
They also
asked for more resources for the implementation of policies, projects and
programmes related to the elderly.-VNA
Source: VietnamPlus
