x

Over 14.8 m Nigerians are older citizens – WHO

,…Tasks Nigerian Government to prioritize, strengthen health care needs of older people

By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

The World Health Organization, has revealed that over 14.8 Nigerians are older people and urged the Nigerian Government to prioritize and strengthen the health care needs of its older population of older citizens living in the country.

This makes Nigeria one of the countries with alarming population figures in sub- Saharan Africa projected to double to more than 1.5 billion people in 2050.
On the occasion of the first National National Summit on Healthy Aging in Nigeria, the WHO Country Representative, Dr. Walter Kazadi Molombo made this call and also charged the Government of Nigeria to prioritize the UN Decade of Health Aging for its older citizens, adding that this step would help to reduce the number of care dependent older people.

Molombo said that this can be achieved by prioritizing development and strengthening health and long – term care of older citizens, especially for those in communities.

He said, “We call upon the Government of Nigeria to continue to exercise leadership and increase investment in human capital development to further strengthen partnership and prioritizing for the Decade of Healthy Aging by focusing on improved engagement with older people.”

” Better understanding of older peoples’ needs; developing and strengthening health and long-term care, specifically in communities, and improved multisectional action in aligning with the PHC system approach.”

Furthermore, Mulombo called government to strengthen mechanisms to ensure better outcomes in the areas of better healthy life expectancy; age-friendly cities and communities; and reduced number of older people who are care-dependent.

Nigeria has an alarming population figure of 14.8 million aged 60 people and above, while globally there were
703 million persons aged 65 or over in 2019. Over the next three decades, the number of older people worldwide is projected to more than double, reaching more than 1.5 billion persons in 2050, WHO reveals .

Sub-Saharan Africa is projected to have an expected blotted population of aged 65 and above from 32 million in 2019 to 101 million in 2025.

The WHO Representative called for a committed engagement with older people in their diversities, to amplify their voices to promote and ensure that healthy aging becomes a top priority.

The first National Summit on healthy aging in Nigeria with the theme: “Decade of Healthy Aging in Nigeria: Situation, Challenges and Transformative Pathway was organized by the Federal Ministry of Health and Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

Hot this week

Editors Urge Government To Create Safe, Enabling Environment For Journalists

· Ask security agents to find missing Vanguard journalist As...

EXCLUSIVE: Buhari orders probe of Isa Funtua, AMCON over keystone and Etisalat

Following the controversy generated by the leading opposition party,...

6 Signs your boyfriend thinks you are ugly -Take note of No. 2

They say there are three kinds of people; the...

2023: South-East, Middle Belt Forum Endorses Peter Obi

The South-East and Middle Belt Forum has endorsed the...

Second Post-FOCAC Abuja Forum to Drive China-Africa Modernization – Prof Ghali

Professor Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim, Director of the Centre for...

Grouo wants Ibeno paramount ruler arrested and prosecuted for murder

…cites indictment by an FG Investigative panel A socio-political in...

Group wants Ibeno paramount ruler arrested and prosecuted for murder

…cites indictment by an FG Investigative panel A socio-political in...

eid Mubarak: North Central Apc Greets Tinubu, Mutfwang, Muslims

By Israel Adamu, Jos Chairman of the North-Central APC Forum,...

NFF Donates N20M to Support Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali for Parents’ Burial

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has extended a gesture...

Abiodun Rewards Falcons, Lionesses with N30m, Eyes More Sports Hosting in Ogun

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has reaffirmed his administration’s...

Tinubu, Shettima, Northern Governors Mourn the Passing of Prof. Jibril Aminu at 85

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and...

Tinubu Hails Dangote Refinery as “Phenomenon of Our Time,” Commissions Lekki Port Access Road

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has praised the Dangote Petroleum...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img