The fifth-phase government has been applauded for coming up with specific ministry devoted to welfare of older people.
A statement availed to The Guardian yesterday by HelpAge International said that the recent announcement of the new Cabinet of Ministers was a momentous occasion for advocates on the rights of older men and women in Tanzania.
According to announcements made by the government, elderly people in Tanzania will now be under the new Ministry of Health, Social Development, Gender, Older People and Children.
The statement said explicit reference to elderly indeed reflects the fact that ageing as an agenda is being given a higher priority by the incoming government.
“Equally well, the inclusion of ageing is also a testament to the efforts of advocates for ageing in Tanzania,” it reads.
Amleset Tewodros, Country Director for HelpAge International said; “this also comes soon after world leaders agreed on the new Sustainable Development Goals, promising to leave no one behind and to be for all people of all ages.”“Indeed no development strategies can be achieved if older men and women who constitute 5% of the total population are not proactively recognised in planning and budgeting and are not enjoying effective public services,’’ said the country director.
She said HelpAge International recognises this positive step and congratulates the government for its continued efforts and fruitful engagements to achieve among other things, legislation on the national policy on ageing so that there is a binding legal framework to support implementation of policies and strategies related to ageing that will be under the new Ministry of Health, Social Development, Gender, Older People and Children.
According to the 2015 Global AgeWatch Index the number of older people is set to grow exponentially in the coming years, with the bulk of this growth taking place in developing countries such as Tanzania.
It said measures to prepare for this growth need to be taken now and assigning a responsible Ministry is a step in the right direction.
Opportunely, having a specific ministry will better ensure that the government is better placed to appreciate and keep up with the changing preferences and needs of Older People.
It also offers another way to follow-up on all the commitments made to promote their access to social pension, affordable and appropriate healthcare, to mention a few from among the myriad demands they have been advancing over the years.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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