Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Localitiesshould launch physical exercise movements among the elderly and make theperformance of physical exercises of the elderly part of cultural festivals, hesaid during a Vietnam National Committee for Elderly (VNCE)’s conference in Hanoi on December 27.
The DeputyPM noted that the Ministry of Health and the Vietnam Social Insurance areworking together on a plan to make health records for individuals, which will firstlybenefit senior people and children.
Enterprises,organisations and individuals with outstanding achievements in implementingsupport policies for senior people should be honoured while public buildingsshould be designed friendly to the elderly, he stated.
He alsoasked the Ministry of Education and Training and other relevant agencies to designcontinuous learning programmes for senior people, while encouraging those with richknowledge and experience to join in communicating law in public educationcentres.
Accordingto the VNCE, Vietnamhas over 10 million senior people, who account for nearly 11 percent of thepopulation, 18.6 percent of whom are 80 and above.
As many as6.63 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 ofefforts to support the elderly, many localities have applied transportationdiscounts for them, along with 15 percent reduction in aviation and railwaytickets.
Deputy Ministerof Health Pham Le Tuan also revealed that a model of giving long-term andcomprehensive health care service launched by the ministry in Hanoi’s Soc Sondistrict is being implemented effectively, which is expected to expand to otherlocalities.
Currently,Vietnamhas 50 central and provincial hospitals having the geriatrics faculty, 302 facilitiesproviding a check-up space exclusively for the senior, as well as 37,622courtesy beds and 2,522 health care staff specialised in geriatrics.
However,the VNCE pointed to limitations in public awareness and support policies forthe elderly, as many old people are living in poverty.
Members ofthe committee proposed a number of adjustments in policies for the elderly,especially for those from poor localities and ethnic minority groups.
They alsoasked for more resources for the implementation of policies, projects andprogrammes related to the elderly.-VNA
VNA
