Innovate and improve the quality of social policies for the elderly

On the morning of March 12, the Vietnam National Committee on Ageing held a conference to evaluate the work of the elderly in 2023 and deploy directions and tasks for 2024. Comrade Tran Hong Ha - Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Vietnam National Committee on Ageing chaired the conference.

At Nghe An province, comrades: Bui Dinh Long - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Head of the Provincial Elderly Affairs Committee; Cao Dang Vinh - Chairman of the Provincial Elderly Association, Deputy Head of the Committee co-chaired.

Policies for the elderly are fully and promptly guaranteed.

According to the National Population Data, the country currently has about 16.1 million elderly people, accounting for over 16% of the population. The average life expectancy of the elderly is 73.6 years. The rate of elderly people in poor households is 3.6%, near-poor is 11.6%, higher than the national average.

The Party and State have paid special attention to the work of the elderly, promulgating policies, laws and a system of documents guiding the implementation in full and comprehensive manner, which have been specified in Resolution No. 42 dated November 24, 2023 of the 13th Party Central Committee.

The implementation of policies and regimes for the elderly must be complete, timely, and targeted. Up to now, 14 provinces/cities have raised the standard of social allowances and social assistance higher than the prescribed standard; 32 provinces/cities have expanded the beneficiaries of social assistance policies, most of whom are elderly.

Elderly health care activities continue to receive attention from all levels, sectors and units, with many meaningful and practical activities. The material and spiritual life of the elderly is increasingly improved, especially for the elderly in difficult circumstances.

The elderly actively participate in the work of building the political system at the grassroots level and developing the economy and society. Nationwide, 733,846 elderly people participate in the work of the Party, government, mass organizations, and people's inspection. More than 95,000 elderly people own farms, production, business, and service establishments; more than 300,000 elderly people are good at economics.

However, the lives of a segment of the elderly are still difficult, especially those in remote areas. Social assistance policies for the elderly are limited, social assistance levels are low; many elderly people facing difficulties, belonging to poor or near-poor households, have not received social assistance.

On the other hand, health care, physical training, and social assistance facilities for the elderly still have some limitations. Resources allocated to ministries, branches, and localities to organize and implement policies and laws for the elderly are still limited, failing to meet the assigned tasks.

At the conference, localities reported on basic results of work for the elderly; raised difficulties and obstacles in work regarding staff, funding, etc. Leaders of central ministries and branches discussed related issues.

CONTINUE TO PAY CARE AND DEVOTE RESOURCES TO SUPPORT THE ELDERLY

Concluding the conference, Comrade Tran Hong Ha - Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Vietnam National Committee on Aging, assessed that the results of 2023 in the work for the elderly were very comprehensive, closely following the right direction, continuing to affirm the attention of the Party and State in promoting the role and importance of the elderly to society.

Agreeing with the operational orientations of the Vietnam National Committee on the Elderly in 2024, the Deputy Prime Minister said that the tasks set out must have a specific implementation plan and roadmap and it is necessary to select tasks in a priority direction. In addition to regular tasks, important tasks must closely follow the core tasks of the country.

Emphasizing that although the Party and State have paid deep attention to the work of the elderly, comrade Tran Hong Ha said that, in the new context of increasing life expectancy, low birth rate, and rapid aging, it is necessary to summarize Resolution No. 42 of the 13th Party Central Committee to respond to the new situation; research and propose amendments and supplements to the Law on Social Insurance and the Law on the Elderly.

In addition, it is necessary to continue to concretize the National Action Program on the Elderly for the period 2021-2030, and develop a national strategy to implement the set goals. Central ministries, branches and localities continue to implement policies to support the elderly in all fields.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha also requested provinces and cities to soon issue directives, plans, and organize the implementation of Conclusion No. 58 of the Party Central Committee Secretariat; implement policies for people working at the Association of the Elderly; guide the Association of the Elderly to operate the Care Fund and promote the role of the elderly in accordance with the Charter and regulations of the law.

The Chairman of the Vietnam National Committee on Aging also requested that the Association of the Elderly at all levels mobilize and encourage members to promote their intelligence to participate in activities of the grassroots political system and actively develop the economy and society.