Focus on improving the quality of life of the elderly

(Baonghean.vn) -On the morning of December 10, the inspection and supervision delegation of the Vietnam National Committee on Aging, led by Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Thuy - Vice President of the Vietnam Women's Union, member of the Vietnam National Committee on the Elderly, had a working session with the People's Committee of Nghe An province on the implementation of elderly work and policies for the elderly in the province. Working with the delegation were comrade Le Xuan Dai - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, representatives of the leaders of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, the Provincial Association of the Elderly and related departments, branches and sectors.

Comrade Nguyen Thi Kim Thuy spoke at the conference.

Nghe An province currently has 342,043 elderly people, accounting for 11.59% of the total population of the province. In recent years, the Party Committees and authorities at all levels have paid attention to the material and spiritual life and health of the elderly. Policies and regimes for the elderly have been basically implemented and paid in a timely manner. Currently, the whole province has 69,470 elderly people receiving regular social benefits in the community, 39 elderly people are being cared for and nurtured at social protection centers.

By the end of 2012, Nghe An province had completed 22,196 houses for poor households according to Decision 167/2008/QD-TTG of the Prime Minister. In 2013, the Association of the Elderly coordinated with departments at all levels to build 5 houses for the elderly in mountainous districts. Clubs for the elderly were active with 3,365 clubs attracting 169,998 elderly people to participate mainly in the two fields of Sports and Culture. The work of visiting and encouraging the elderly who are sick or in trouble, wishing longevity and celebrating longevity of the elderly on holidays and Tet were also given thoughtful and timely attention. The whole province has 422/481 communes with elderly care funds (reaching 87.73%); 182,252 elderly people were granted health insurance cards; 134,712 elderly people received periodic health check-ups.

However, currently, the elderly living in rural and mountainous areas still face many difficulties; the elderly living alone and without support account for a large proportion; the number of elderly cared for and raised at social protection centers in the province is still small; the implementation of policies for the elderly is not uniform in localities.

Comrade Le Xuan Dai discussed with the inspection and supervision team.

Speaking at the meeting, comrade Nguyen Thi Kim Thuy highly appreciated the work of the elderly and the implementation of the elderly policy of Nghe An province, especially the socialization of the fund for care and promotion of the elderly. To continue promoting the role of the elderly in the community, she suggested that the province should step up propaganda, consultation and health care for the elderly. Prioritize the elimination of temporary houses for poor elderly people, improve the quality of life of elderly people in rural and mountainous areas; continue to direct the establishment of funds for care and promotion of the elderly in 100% of communes and wards. The Association of the Elderly at all levels needs to diversify activities, promote the role of the elderly in party building, government building, hunger eradication and poverty reduction, new rural construction; strengthen the advisory role so that the province can have a more comprehensive development policy for the elderly. The working group recorded and synthesized the recommendations and proposals of the province to the National Committee for the Elderly in Vietnam for consideration and resolution.

On behalf of the provincial leaders, comrade Le Xuan Dai received the opinions and directions of the working group on the implementation of policies for the elderly in Nghe An province. At the same time, he affirmed that in the coming time, the province will direct sectors and localities to promptly and fully implement the rights and policies for the elderly; create all favorable conditions for the elderly to promote their roles and effectively participate in social activities suitable to their needs and abilities; strive to complete the targets in the national action program on the elderly for the period 2012-2020.

News and photos: Khanh Ly