The senior citizens in Fiji will have increased opportunities to age care services and this will be possible through the Fijian Government’s commitment to create an inclusive and supportive environment for the elderly.
This was reiterated by the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Rosy Akbar while officially opening the National Council for Older Persons (NCOP) meeting held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Suva, yesterday. Present among the meeting has been the NCOP representatives from Samabula Old People’s Home, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Health, Chanel Home of Compassion, Suva Relief Trust Fund- Pearce Home, Saint Vincent De Paul, Father Law Home, National Council for Disable Person, Fiji Council of Social Services and UNFPA.
Minister Akbar emphasized on the importance of NCOP to tackle the challenges of the ageing population.
“Fiji’s elderly population has increased over the past two decades with a further increase expected in the next 50 years. According to the last 2007 National Census Fiji’s total population was recorded at 837,271. Older persons (60 years and above) comprise 7.5 percent of Fiji’s population with a registered total of 62,940.
“The Fijian Government’s commitment to older persons is protected under Fiji’s 2013 Constitution, through the Bill of Rights which provides every Fijian with socio-economic rights that include rights to education, to economic participation, to work and just minimum wage, to reasonable access to transportation, to housing and sanitation, to adequate food and water, to social security schemes, to health, freedom from arbitrary evictions and to environmental rights. Government’s major objective is to improve the living standards of all Fijians. This is attainable through fair and efficient delivery of social services,” Minister Akbar elaborated.
The Council plans to use a multisectoral approach to increase its reach out to the senior citizens.
“As of this year, the Ministry will look after the administration of the three senior citizens homes in Fiji. Apart from the administration of these age care homes, the Ministry will also be responsible for the care and protection of the senior citizens who are accommodated within these 3 institutions, as well as the rights and interests of older persons in communities.
“Thus, NCOP’s challenge is to be the leading agency to champion the dignity, rights and wellbeing of our senior citizens. The justification of why we need to do what is being planned and the need for its implementation is very clear. NCOP aims to strengthen partnership between the Government, Non-Government Organisations, Civil Society Organisations and the private sector in creating an inclusive, protective, healthy and supportive environment for older persons; and represent the rights and interests of older persons in Fiji at all levels,” Minister Akbar said.