Assembly urges govt to make care for the elderly a priority

Pongphon Sarnsamak,

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The National Assembly on Ageing yesterday urged the government to make healthcare services and social benefits for the elderly a top national priority to improve older Thais' quality of life.

The number of elderly people - those aged over 60 - in Thailand is projected to jump from 8.56 million to 17.8 million by 2030.

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To encourage elderly people to live independently and reduce the financial burden on the government, the assembly came up with recommendations for the government to help it formulate policies and prepare the public to handle the effects of the ageing society in the coming years.

The assembly was organised by the National Committee for the Elderly and attended by hundreds of representatives of state agencies, civic groups and academic institutions.

The recommendations cover health, economic, environmental and educational dimensions. Participants asked the government to issue policies that support the well-being of the elderly.

For the health dimension, the Public Health Ministry and relevant agencies should adjust services at hospitals and other healthcare units to make them friendlier for the elderly, including primary-care, emergency and rehabilitation services.

Meanwhile, they said, local authorities should play a key role in developing and allocating budgets to build capacity for caring for the elderly. The National Health Security Fund and Civil Servant Medical Benefit Fund must improve their methods to provide health examinations and promote the well-being of the elderly.

For the economic dimension, the assembly called on the government to raise awareness among members of the public over the importance of the pension fund, which will be the main financial resource for people when they get old.

On the environment, the government should develop infrastructures, facilities and accommodation to help older people travel and live on their own, participants said.

Regarding education, the government should set up schools for the elderly as learning centres to develop their capacity to work for their communities.

"We will submit these recommendations to the prime minister to [help the government] issue elderly-friendly policies in the future," said Dr Wichai Chokewiwat, the assembly chairperson.

-- The Nation 2013-02-09

Can anyone here imagine a pension or retirement scheme or fund management situation by deduction from salaries being run on behalf of the population? The pigs at the trough would skim billions. It has to come from education of all Thai's they need to run their own and look after their future. It is not fair for the parents to age and then expect the children to support them. Until there is education there is always ongoing ignorance but not really their fault.

Jatuporn take note

I would vote for this if I could.

My M-I-L is only a year younger than me and she lives with us.

I could sponge off her 500 baht a month.

Perhaps they could start with amnesty for all convicted criminals over sixty.

From the government program read by PM Yingluck August 2011.

"4.5.5 Improve the quality of life of the elderly, the disabled and the needy by providing public facilities to serve the elderly and the disabled, enhancing the country’s readiness as an aging society; improving healthcare services, providing aid, education, benefits and job search services for the needy and the disabled; encouraging the elderly to be a productive part society under the concept that the elderly are highly experienced individuals who deserve to be a part of the country’s development process."

http://www.thailandtoday.org/node/512

Edited February 9, 201313 yr by rubl

Nice press release, no doubt the government will study it assidiously to see where a dollar can be made, if so then those items could well become part of the agenda with a fair kickback to those who thought it up of course. Basically though as public officials all retire rich through graft and corruptuion could they really could care less about the peasants?

What a load of fluff

I guess there are no inoculations nor treatments. While Doctors' expenses are low in comparison to 1st world Nations, Medicines are often at least as high. Outside the significant inhabitants facilities health good care descends easily to 3rd world levels.

At least the PTP has made a start by stockpiling rice for them. What they will do with rotten insecticide laden rice I dont know?

Edited February 14, 201313 yr by waza

I guess there are no inoculations nor treatments. While Doctors' expenses are low in comparison to 1st world Nations, Medicines are often at least as high. Outside the significant inhabitants facilities health good care descends easily to 3rd world levels.

Any comments?

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