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New Delhi, October 16 (IANS) Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Singh Patel said India is committed to ensuring people of all ages, especially the elderly, live with dignity, safety and care.
Speaking at the Ministerial Roundtable of the 78th session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Patel reaffirmed India’s continued commitment to promoting healthy aging through strong primary health care for the elderly based on a comprehensive and people-centred system.
The two-day ministerial meeting held in October 13-15 deliberated on the theme “Healthy Aging through Strong Primary Health Care”.
“Inspired by the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas’, India is committed to ensuring that every stage of life, including old age, is lived with dignity, safety and care,” he said.
The Union Minister emphasized that aging should be seen as an opportunity for inclusive growth and social transformation.
Patel highlighted that with 153 million citizens aged 60 years and above, India is witnessing a major demographic transition, and the government has taken several important measures to ensure that the elderly receive equitable, accessible and affordable health care services tailored to their needs.
This includes the National Program for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE), which is now operational in 92 per cent of the districts, and is the cornerstone of India’s efforts to provide preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative services for senior citizens through a primary health care approach.
Ayushman Bharat’s Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) has been expanded to cover all citizens aged 70 years and above, regardless of income, further strengthening the financial security of the elderly population.
“The scheme will benefit approximately 60 million elders from 45 million families by providing cashless hospital care worth up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year in public and listed private hospitals,” the minister said.
At the regional roundtable, Patel called for increased regional collaboration among WHO South-East Asia member states to strengthen integration of primary health care and long-term care (PHC-LTC).
India proposes to “establish a regional platform for knowledge sharing and innovation on PHC-LTC; invest in capacity building and training programs for the geriatric and caregiving workforce across the country; and promote technological innovations and health solutions that support independent and dignified living for older adults”.
–IANS
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