NSCC PARTNERS NORTHERN TRADITIONAL LEADERS COMMITTEE ON PRIMARY HEALTHCARE …. COMMENDS BUHARI
Oru Leonard
The National Senior Citizens Centre has lauded the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee on Primary Healthcare for strides recorded in the development of healthcare, population immunity and improvement in health indicators in the northern region of Nigeria.
NSCC plans to engage members of the committee who are Royal Fathers under the Chairmanship of the Emir of Argungu as champions in advocating improved welfare for older persons in all tiers of government.
Director General of the National Senior Citizens Centre, Dr Emem Omokaro made the commendation while addressing the quarterly meeting of Northern Traditional Leaders Committee on Primary Healthcare in Abuja.
The Director General represented by the Head, Active Senior Centres and Support Services of NSCC, Mr Kayode Fagbemi solicited partnership to mainstream Geriatric assessment and Social Care in Primary Healthcare System, capacity building for community health workers in the country, cause fundamental positive change in perception, attitude and paradigm about ageing, old age and an inclusive society.
NSCC also intends to work with the health committee towards guaranteeing improved quality of life for older persons in Nigeria and strengthen the traditional support systems for older persons, eliminate Elder Abuse in communities where older persons with dementia are wrongly accused of witchcraft as well as guarantee adequate and sustainable income security and ensure healthy ageing.
Other areas of partnership is ensure that the fundamental human rights of older persons are upheld and protected, facilitate capacity building and mainstream Ageing in relevant State Ministries, Department and Agencies for enhanced multi-sector collaborations and setting up of Ageing Desks and focal persons as well as on information sharing and capacity building for senior citizens on intergenerational livelihood and public works programmes.
The Director General expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for establishing NSCC saying this has enhanced social inclusion of the older persons who are vulnerable and have hitherto been left behind.
Dr Omokaro said in just a year and few months as a government agency, NSCC developed a 10-year Strategic Plan on Ageing, National Plan of Action on Ageing and Project Activities, engaged in strategic partnerships with many sectors for effective delivery of programmes for older persons and entered into multi-Sectorial, multi-disciplinary and multi-jurisdictional consultative forums.
Ensured that older persons are included in some of the National Social Investment Programme.
NSCC, she said is working on continuous engagement of older persons and leveraging on NAPTIP’s structure, for a Rapid Response Mechanism to reduce Elder Abuse and established consultative structure in all States of the Federation and FCT.
The Northern Traditional Leaders Committee on Primary Healthcare, made up of respected and committed natural rulers is under the Chairmanship of the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Muhammed Mera.
They are custodians of culture in their domains and have used their existing system of coordination and community governance to positively impact on the health of the people.
(NSCC Media)
