Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Establish at least one geriatric hospital in each province: NHRC

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and experts suggested to establish at least one geriatric hospital in each province, ensure free  medical treatment for needy patients suffering from Alzheimer’s, dementia, cancer and paralysis, pay fee of economically backward persons  living in care centres, ensure regular medical check-up and conduct  health camp at elderly homes.
They – during an interaction organised by NHRC with geriatric experts regarding the problems of senior citizens – also suggested all hospitals to have a separate ward for mentally unsound persons and a geriatric ward and all elderly homes should have health workers and medicines.
The experts also dwelt on incorporating subject matters related to medical treatment and healthcare of senior citizens into the curricula of MBBS and nursing. They urged the NHRC to inspect and monitor the condition of geriatric wards at hospitals, according to the rights body. "They also emphasised on immediate implementation of recommendations by the NHRC to the government towards ensuring dignified life for senior citizens in their autumn years."
Recently, the NHRC had recommended the government to improve the living condition of senior citizens. "As hundreds of elderly people do not have any option to live with their sons, daughters-in-law, grandsons and granddaughters, they end up at elderly homes," it said, adding that death of spouse, lack of caretakers and family affection compel senior citizens to take shelter in elderly homes. "As many as 141 elderly homes are in operation in 64 districts in the country."
NHRC chairperson Anup Raj Sharma, on the occasion, said that issues of human rights were multi-dimensional. "The NHRC had recommended that the government to establish geriatric hospital for senior citizens on the basis of the report prepared after inspecting and monitoring elderly homes and care centres across the country," he added.

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