MYANMAR: Elderly Health Care Project Covers 34 Townships

. MADRID, Spain, April 12, 2002: The Union of Myanmar's Elderly Health Care Project, initiated in six townships with the help of the World Health Organisation and expanded yearly, now covers 34 townships. The Project aims at promoting the health of the elderly in Myanmar and increasing the accessibility of geriatric care services for them. This was declared here at the Second World Assembly on Ageing by U Hlaing Win, Deputy Minister For Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement. These townships are provided with special instruments for eye, ear and throat care and dental care for the elderly. Manuals for provision of health care for the older people and pamphlets for health education were also developed and distributed to these townships. Basic health care training courses are conducted for doctors, nurses, local NGOs and volunteers. The clinic for the elderly is opened every Wednesday where curative care is given and basic physical exercises are demonstrated to the elderly people. Medical specialists give health education and counselling to elderly people as well as to their families. At the clinics, reading glasses are also distributed and intra occular lens are inserted free of charge for the elderly. In the townships covered by the Project, other activities such as collection of data on the elderly and recording of their health care status are also carried out in coordination and collaboration with local NGOs. The implementation of the project has enhanced the health of the elderly and the accessibility of geriatric care services for them, thereby, enabling them to lead their daily lives healthily and independently. The Minister noted that Myanmar society is made up of extended families comprising senior relatives such as mother, father, uncle and aunt, and every elderly person naturally receive care from their children, grandchildren and relatives. According to religious teachings, cultural traditions and social code of conduct, Myanmar people have high regard for the older people. To them, to look after the older people is a noble and meritorious deed of which they are proud. Therefore, the affairs of older people do not constitute a serious social problem in Myanmar. Religious and voluntary social organizations, have established Homes for the Aged for those 60 and above and in need of care for various reasons. At present, 45 Homes for the Aged exist throughout Myanmar and they provide food, clothing, shelter, healthcare services and general care. The State provides rice, funds for food, clothes and salary of the administrators of the Homes for the Aged every year. In Myanmar, all Government servants may serve until the age of 60, which is the age for retirement. On retirement they are entitled to prescribed gratuity and pension. However, the State may, if necessary, continue to employ retired skilled and experienced personnel or appoint them as advisors. This enables the retirees to continue to serve the country by sharing their experiences, knowledge and skill with young generations. Apart from the government service, the retired may also serve in other capacities. A large number of elderly people are now serving in important positions in NGOs, voluntary organizations, companies and business firms. Through active involvement in the social, economics and religious sectors of the country, they are able to continue to lead an active life in the society. Under the Social Security Act, workers covered by the Social Security Scheme, including the elderly workers, are entitled to free medical care and cash benefits. The International Day of Older Persons, which falls on October 1, is observed yearly in Myanmar. Donation of meal for one day to Homes for the Aged and launching of awareness campaigns in mass media in accordance with the motto "Towards a Society for All Ages" are carried out. At the ceremonies held in observance of the Day, cash donations are made to the older persons from Homes for the Aged and those elder persons talented in various fields are honoured, the Minister stated. As a global effort to address the question of ageing, the first World Assembly on Ageing was held at Vienna, Austria, in 1982 and the International Plan of Action on ageing was adopted at that Assembly. The Vienna Plan is the first international instrument on ageing and it should be recorded as a global achievement. It is aimed at strengthening the capacities of Governments and civil society to deal effectively with the ageing population and to address the development potential and dependency needs of older persons. In order to achieve these aims, 62 recommendations under seven sectoral areas were adopted for action. (Based on official press release by the Union of Myanmar)