NSCC, NPHCDA, WHO Collaborate on delivery of integrated care for older persons.

The objectives include;

To strengthen synergies for delivering care for the older persons

To identify social determinants for future planning of care for the older persons

To secure commitment and support from Executive secretaries/Chairmen/ Perm Secs of State Primary Health Boards/Agencies for the establishment of a unit for the Care of older persons

To strategize on strengthening institutional capacity for care of Older Persons within the PHC system by leveraging on existing interventions

To increase awareness and Advocate for support from stakeholders

In her welcome address, The NSCC Boss, Dr Emem Omokaro said that the Centre is looking for ways to accelerate the social inclusion of senior citizens in development agendas, specifically in the strategic initiatives,  programs, services and budget lines of relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies,  to ensure the improvement of the quality of life and wellbeing  and their enhanced participation, dignity and and happiness must be through structured partnerships.

“NSCC’s quest to see a functional, available, accessible, appropriate, affordable and acceptable primary health infrastructure and eco-system system at sub national level is the reason why we all are gathered here today.  The burden we are taking on with zest, is to find the strategic pathways to modify , expand and  align  the existing ; or to create innovative ways that would bring older persons, even in hard to reach places,  to the centre of  inclusive Primary health care, that would respond effectively in their age appropriate context”, she stressed.

Emen noted that the efforts can only be led by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, whose statutory mandate among others, is to provide technical support for planning, management and implementation of universal primary health care to all Nigerians.

“With the development of a strong partnership  between NSCC and NPHCDA, and a with the inaugural  sustainable theme: Realigning and Strengthening Institutional   Capacities for Delivery of Integrated Care for Older Persons, our passion and expectations, would be to arise from here with an outcome document that affirms to the older persons, that we are committed to moving forward together,  to cause them to see and feel and know that they know, that they matter  within our communities; that we are committed to;

Promoting geriatric health

Promoting older persons’  independence

Promoting older persons’ optimal functioning

Preventing  avoidable decline in health status

Promoting  better quality of life for senior citizens

Recognizing their human right to inclusion”, she enumerated. 

She disclosed that Priority Areas NSCC’s programs for the 14. 8 million older persons living in Nigeria, with 70% of them residing in rural areas, are organised around eight (8) themes; altogether, looking at how poverty reduction, vulnerability mitigation, health and wellness and social  services systems can accelerate inclusion and improve the  quality of life  for all Senior citizens and  most vulnerable among them in Nigeria.

Development of livelihood programs and work schemes for Income ;

trainings and engagement of capacities of older persons;

Health and wellbeing; -recreation and Sports

modification of structures/building  and equipping of senior centers to promote social connections and wellness;

social programs and counseling;

promoting age friendly environment;

Research and  building database of older persons and

linkages with State and Local Government services,

Two Strategic Pathways to achieving the mandate (1). Ageing Mainstreaming and (2) Creating, Piloting and Establishing New Opportunities,

“Positioning NSCC is through NSCC;s  Collaborating; Initiating; Advocating; Coordinating initiatives as today’s agenda confirms” Emem emphasised.

She applauded NPHCDA and WHO for a very strategic and progressively rewarding partnership  and all stakeholders, the Chairmen of Boards,  Perm Secretaries, Executive Secretaries of state Primary Care Boards, subject matter experts in Ageing , Civil Society Organizations, and representatives  of Pension Union, who  have  honored the invitation to be here to get down to work.

 Photo Credit: NTA & Arise News