Extending social safety net for elderly people

THE other day I was going through an article titled: "Demographic Down-slide" published in the Indian magazine 'India Today'. It was an informative and thought-provoking piece on issues related to the elderly people. The article elaborately dwelt on facilities provided to the elderly people in India and elsewhere in the world and should be published in our country in overall public interest and awareness.

Bangladesh has very few such 'Old Person Homes' and this writer came across only one along the road towards the Joydevpur Industrial Area. By and large, in our country almost all elderly and physically handicapped persons are looked after by their family members. Those who are not lucky to have similar family members are found toiling at unusually odd and hard working jobs. This writer who is now 85+, can still look after himself and spend most of his time in reading books and writing on matters of interest (like this one!). I used to regularly walk around one to two miles daily after 'Fajr' prayers five years ago which is not possible now. I am compelled to stay restricted to my house and my present state of health does not allow me to go out and walk around.

Taking care of the elderly is an important and necessary responsibility that could quite often be a physical and financial problem for us as many of us in Bangladesh are usually financially or socially handicapped to undertake such responsibilities.

The government instead should undertake the responsibilities and bring more elderly people under its social service network. Honestly speaking, health care and social services should be on top of our social agenda.

S.A.Mansoor

Dhaka [email protected]