Government is committed to addressing the issues and concerns of older persons in the country through policies such as National Policy on Ageing (2011-2015) and the recently established National Council for Older Persons.
Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Jiko Luveni highlighted this at the launch of the Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS) and HelpAge publication titled “A Compendium of Actions for Seniors Well Being in Fiji” at the Fiji Museum today.
The publication launch marked the celebration of the International Day for Older Persons and 25 years of starting the HelpAge Centre or care for the elderly program by FCOSS.
Dr Luveni said the National Policy on Ageing is a framework of key goals, objectives and actions that serves to improve service delivery to older persons.
“Ageing in the 21st century is indeed both a celebration and a challenge. Thus, population ageing can no longer be overlooked. It is an issue that is never missing from the agendas of program planning of the United Nations agencies and other international organizations. It is an important agenda in Fiji’s development programme,” Dr Luveni said.
Dr Luveni said healthy ageing has resulted in new markets, allowed for more experienced workers available widely, a growing cadre of custodians of culture, and caregivers for grandchildren and great grandchildren.
“But, it is also presenting major challenges, most notably ensuring the sustainability of pension funds and the ability of overburdened health care systems to serve much higher numbers of people.
“These implications, as well as the fact that new generations of older persons will be more educated, must be taken into account in policies in programmes that reflect changing age structures,” the minister said.
According to the United Nations Population Fund, it has been confirmed that in Fiji’s case, more than 3,000 people are projected to be added on to the 60+ age bracket, annually.
“The “oldest old” population 80 years of age and above is also expected to increase significantly over this period, from 5000 in 2010 to 28,500 by 2050. This categorized group is projected to grow at a faster rate- 5 percent per year for the next 20 years,” Dr Luveni said.
The Minister also pointed out the current programs and services for social protection for older persons.
“These include the bus fare concession and the recent Social Pension Scheme for older persons 70 years and above, that have never been on any superannuation scheme.
“The Bill of Rights in Fiji’s recently accented 2013 Constitution, has for the first time in the history of our beloved nation, in response to the strong wishes of our people, Fiji’s Constitution has provided for a wide range of socio-economic rights. These rights include rights to education, access to health care, housing and sanitation, reasonable access to transportation, food security and safe water, and social security schemes,” Dr Luveni added.
She said that Fiji is well positioned to strengthen its advocacy and action to make the real change that older persons rightly deserve within the communities.
Meanwhile, FCOSS executive director Hassan Khan said “A Compendium of Actions for Seniors Well Being in Fiji” was significant for today’s celebration as it had the submissions the council made on the care and rights for the elderly.
“It is important for the senior citizens of Fiji and all the people of Fiji as the senior citizens are the asset of the family and they are the pride of the nation,” Mr Khan said.
“Fortunately caring for the elderly has been part of our culture and religion for all Fijians. Every culture promotes in-house and in-community care for the elderly and that is what we have been promoting.
“However, there are a number of people who are left alone and they have difficulties in dealing with the communities because they are lonely. We have three government owned senior citizens home and three private ones here and they are the ones caring for those left without any assistance,” Mr Khan stated.
Mr Khan also called on the younger generation to take care of their health now so that they enjoy a healthy, secure and productive ageing later in life.
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