Protecting, caring for and promoting the role of senior citizens

ABO/NDO- Recognising the elderly as a valuable asset of the nation, an important force of the country, and the pillar of the Vietnamese family and society, the Party and State have always paid attention to senior citizen affairs, with the core task being constantly taking caring of the elderly, improving their health, and promoting their role in the community.

This is demonstrated through the promulgation and implementation of many specific policies, strategies, programmes, and projects. Recently, on September 26, 2024, the Ministry of Health and the Vietnam Association of the Elderly signed an agreement on the coordination programme on healthcare for the elderly for the 2024-2028 period to strengthen coordination in the implementation of policies, laws, goals, tasks and solutions on caring for and improving the health of the elderly, ensuring that they have access to and enjoy high-quality healthcare services.

The launch ceremony for the Action Month for the Elderly in Vietnam 2024 under the theme “Joining hands to protect, care for, and promote the role of the elderly” was held on September 28 to call for attention and care from families and the community for the elderly.

Deputy PM Le Thanh Long presents gifts to centenarians in Hai Duong Province.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long requested the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and provinces and centrally governed cities to effectively implement policies to protect, care for and promote the role of the elderly.

At the same time, they were requested to review and advise on policies and laws on the elderly, especially those for the elderly with disabilities, poor senior citizens, those without support, and the elderly in rural, mountainous and disadvantaged areas.

For its part, the Vietnam Association of the Elderly was assigned with the task of continuing to build an increasingly strong association and encouraging the elderly to bring their experience into play and actively participate in political and social activities.

The actual implementation has shown that the Action Month for the Elderly has received the attention from all walks of life, thereby helping to raise the awareness of the whole society regarding senior citizen affairs. It has also mobilised the participation of many agencies, organisations, businesses, and philanthropists to join hands to protect, care for, and promote the role of the elderly.

Tens of thousands of houses, thousands of savings books and millions of gifts have been given to the elderly in difficult circumstances. Recently, many senior citizens who suffered heavy losses due to Typhoon Yagi have received prompt assistance.

With a falling birth rate and high life expectancy, Vietnam is predicted to be one of the fastest aging countries in the world and will soon become an aging society by 2038. This poses challenges to the social security and employment systems, especially the healthcare system for the elderly.

On the other hand, although healthcare for the elderly has achieved many positive results, there are still many shortcomings and limitations such as the difference in the enjoyment of healthcare services for the elderly between remote and delta areas, and limited resources for senior citizen affairs. Therefore, further attention should be given to senior citizen affairs in general and their healthcare in particular.

Specifically, the relevant agencies need to: promptly complete the National Strategy for the Elderly; continuously improve the quality of healthcare for the elderly, especially at the grassroots level; and focus on implementing well the work of caring for, supporting, and promoting the role of the elderly in socio-economic development.

At the same time, it is necessary to strengthen communication work, raise awareness of the whole society about the role and importance of senior citizen affairs.

On that basis, specific actions will be taken to mobilise all resources for the work of caring for the elderly, gradually improving their health and quality of life, and further promoting their role of in society.

(Source: NDO)