Fantswam Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, has urged governments at various levels to prioritise the welfare of the ageing population.
The Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, Comfort Kazanka, made the call in Kafanchan on Tuesday, during a visit to the Chairman of Jema’a Local Government Area.
She noted that many elderly people are lonely and poor, adding that issues affecting their health, social and economic wellbeing should be improved to make life easy for them.
Kazanka said that Nigeria has to do more towards achieving Universal Health Coverage, especially for the elderly.
She said based on a survey carried out by the foundation recently, some of the challenges faced by the elderly include lack of access to quality healthcare, accommodation, feeding and inability to foot utility bills.
According to her, the government ought to formulate policies that would ensure that the aged are given priority in public places such as banks and hospitals.
She said such policies are necessary to prevent the elderly from standing on queues for long periods due to their declining strength.
On his part, the Council chairman, Mr. Yunana Barde, assured of his resolve to always support the cause of the elderly.
Barde said the council was ready to give the needed support to individuals and organisations that bear the burden of caring for the elderly.
(NAN)
Leave a Reply