\\\'Enact law to ensure rights, welfare of the elderly\\\'

Observing that the problems of ageing are largely being ignored senior citizens of the country have laid emphasis on enacting new laws to ensuring rights and welfare of the elderly people. They also urged the government to establish a full-fledged geriatric institution to ensure better healthcare to the aged and to facilitate higher education and training on geriatric. The demands came at a discussion held in the city on Thursday afternoon. Organised by Bangladesh Association for the Aged and Institute of Geriatric Medicine (BAAIGM), the speakers said the cabinet in November last year approved the draft ‘National Policy on Elderly People 2013’, which now awaits the Law Ministry vetting. They urged the government to quickly finalise the policy and the action plan for the implementation of the policy. The Cabinet on November 17 approved the draft of the ‘National Policy on Elderly People 2013’ recognising those aged 60 and above as ‘senior citizens’ of the country and ensure their rights and welfare, according to a news agency.