ISSA YUSSUF in Zanzibar, 24th November 2009 @ 12:00, Total Comments: 2, Hits: 907
ELDERLY people in Zanzibar may soon enjoy free benefits including transport, medical care, water, and a relatively ‘hefty’ pension to be paid weekly, President Amani Abeid Karume announced here today.
“We should all play a role in helping the elderly. It is possible to help them” Karume said today at Bahari Hall, Ocean View Hotel in Zanzibar, where a report on social protection for older people in Zanzibar was unveiled.
The president said his administration would consider improving the welfare of the elderly people as recommended by the report, and asked by the elderly people.
He admitted that the current 5,000/- monthly pension was insufficient, proposing for an increase which could be paid weekly.
“In Europe, elderly people are entitled free transport in commuter buses and train. We can adopt this system! I ask the minister responsible for transport to look into this possibility.
I also appeal to all elderly people to apply for IDs for easy identification,” president Karume said.
According to HelpAge International officials, Ms Nesta Hatendi (Regional Representatives- Africa), Mr Nicodimus Chipfupa ( Tanzania ) and Dr Ali Mzige (Public Health and Family Health Consultant) have lobbied for the adoption of the universal pension.
“Older people currently lack income security, and are dying from non communicable disease …, 28 year old men and women today will be 70 come the year 2050, said Ms Hatendi.
Based on these observations, she added, there was a need to take appropriate measures and decisions now, to meet the needs of the senior citizens of the future.
Mr Chipfupa said from the study conducted in Zanzibar in February this year, about 49,725 (data from the office of Chief Government Statistician) elderly people in Zanzibar still face a number of challenges which could be resolved.
Dr Mzige mentioned some of the common identified challenges among the older people as non communicable disease, diabetes such as high blood pressure, obesity, and underweight attributing to uneven availability of services, poor quality of care, high cost of health services, and low awareness of health issues.
The Zanzibar Minister of Health and Social Welfare Mr Sultan Mohamed Mugheiry said at the meeting that the findings were posing a challenge. He said the government has been struggling to help the elderly with support from private institutions, including religious institutions.
Total Comments on the above stories (2)
Comment
Congratulations Zanzibar for taking the initiative in Africa to help the elderly particularly the health care . We all know that it is the elderly who are more prone to health problems. We wish the planners of this new venture in Africa all the best
Comment
Congratulations!!!That is a great effort the island of Tanzania is doing. I have a hope that the mainland will do the same. Very nice to hear the news keep on climbing the ladder and will reach on top,
I am a zanzibar born. Living in Arusha, now currently doing a diploma course in Gerontology in India. We really needed to do something for the poeple who gave us life. Let us proove to the youngsters that they r not burdens they r our wisdom and Knowledge which we have to preseve. Not only the government, but the NGO's and the families support we need.Charity starts at home Lets all work hand in hand to help our elderly population. Lets take care of them respect and let them live with dignity til the last breath of their life.
We need to implement the National Ageing Policy of elderly in Tanzania. and there is alot to be learned from National Policy of India on Elderly persons.thanks ragini
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