Experts Advocate Better Welfare For Senior Citizens

– Olusegun Haastrup

Nigerians have again been admonished not to neglect the elderly in the society and ensure their rights are not compromised.

The Coordinator, of a nongovernmental organisation, “The Voice Nigeria”, Mr. Akom Nya stated this during a get-together for some elderly persons, organised in Lagos by Coalition of Societies for the Rights of Older Persons, in Nigeria, COSROPIN.

He said”The primary thing they need is health intervention, there should be a special unit for the elderly so they don’t take turn with the younger ones.
They don’t have the energy of queuing up like the younger folk. Activities like this will help them in term of well-being and mental state, because when their children are grown and moved to other locations, there’s that they become lonely”.

In a remark, COSROPIN President, Senator Eze Ajoku, represented by the project officer of the Coalition,, Mr. Henry Mbene, who noted that many corporate organisations have not done enough in compensation of retired staff members, called for policies that would cater for the health of the senior citizens.

“Older persons need more of this activities in our rural areas, you can see the enthusiasm, joy and willingness to participate in this activities. They’re so gladdened by the programme, I hope that Government and well-meaning individuals will sponsor our programmes” he stated.

Lagos State Coordinator of Coalition of Societies for the Rights of Older Persons, Ms.
Damilola Grillo wants government to partner with structured NGOs to ensure an wholesome impact on welfare programmes for the elderly.

“We don’t have capacity in our hospitals any longer. We have older people getting to hospital and not getting attention. Our General hospitals are not even enough. Governments should come together and ensure that we have a medical structure for the older generation, not only the health insurance scheme” she added.

Ms. Grillo appealed for better guidelines that would strengthen the existing insurance scheme for the older ones.

The event held at Methodist Church Youths Hall, Tabon Tabon in Agege, also featured a health talk by medical expert, Dr. Olubiyi Adeshina, as well as simple physical exercise sessions facilitated by a physiotherapist, Mr. Daniel Olubunmi.