Kohima | September 30 : Nagaland will today (October 1) join the rest of the country in paying respect and honour to older persons on the occasion of International Day of Older Persons. The day will reflect the achievement and contribution as well as the wisdom and dignity contributed by older persons towards the progress of the society.
Source said in the next 50 years, the number of older persons will nearly quadruple, growing from about 600 million to almost 2 billion senior citizens. Today, one in every ten person is 60 years and older. By 2050, one out of every five will be an older person, and by 2150, one third of the people in the world are expected to be 60 years of age or older.
In Nagaland, the Department of Health & Family Welfare provides 50% concession at all district hospitals, CHCs and PHCs for all investigations such as X-ray, Ultra Sound etc., including surgical procedures wherever the same is charged. It also gives priority attention for registration and OPD services to recipients of old pension and senior citizens, free OPD registration for senior citizens, 50 % concession in cabin charges, special senior citizens’ clinic held in all district hospitals once a month.
The Department of Social Welfare provides Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme. The eligibility is BPL above 60 years to 79 years with Rs. 300 per month, BPL above 80 years at Rs. 500 per month. Any aged person who are in need of care and protection can avail facilities at Old Age Homes- Kohima, Mokokchung, Mon, Dimapur and Wokha.
This year, the International Day of Older Persons will be jointly organized in Kohima by Department of Social Welfare, Health & Family Welfare and Nagaland Senior Citizens Forum under the theme “Health care for senior citizens.”
Last year, pensioner and senior citizens of Nagaland submitted a memorandum to Nagaland’s Governor, appealing him to instate and provide greater welfare amenities for this section of society. They requested, among others, for concessions in and for medical and transport facilities.
The forum also sought medical facilities at concession. The senior citizens may be provided 50% concession for services such as registration, investigation, treatment (operation charges) and hospital beds in government hospitals. The Naga Hospital Authority in Kohima and all the district hospitals may be provided with a geriatric care unit as well, the memorandum stated.
The elder persons also sought 50% concessions for availing Nagaland State Transport department transport and fare facilities for the seniors. The seniors also requested for at least 2 reserved seats in NST and private public buses for senior persons, the forum appealed.
On other occasion, the Nagaland Senior Citizens Forum (NSCF) requested the state’s Department of Social Welfare to initiate a recreation centres initially for Kohima village which has the highest number of people above 80 years of age in Nagaland and subsequently in all the assembly constituency areas.
It opined that the government may also initiate to provide at least one Old Age Home in each of the assembly constituency areas in the state.
At home, it requested government to consider the provision of 10 kgs or more food grains free of cost under Annapurna scheme for the over 65 years not covered under National Old Pension Scheme. In medical line, the Forum requested the department to provide separate queues for older persons in government hospitals for registration and examination, and geriatric ward with doctors trained in geriatric care and concessionary fees and payments for investigation and treatment.
