Stakeholders at the Centre for Gender Economics Initiative (CGE Africa) and the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) have stressed the need to prioritise care for elderly citizens across the country.
The stakeholders, who gathered in Abuja, insisted that the Federal Government and sub-national bodies could plan homegrown and smart initiatives despite resource constraints, saying the country would reduce health bills and improve longevity if the elderly are included in government plans and cared for.
Developed societies across the world plan strong social schemes, which help elderly citizens enjoy their old age but Nigeria has not prioritised such a plan.
The global elderly care services, valued at about $1,100 billion in 2022, is slated to hit $1,800 billion by the end of 2030, marking about 6.5 per rise between 2023 and 2030.
Speaking at a multi-stakeholder forum to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day, the stakeholders noted the need for economic equality, advancing work and creating financial security for women.
Beyond caring for the elderly, they see social care for the elderly as a way of creating an industry that would increase employment and wellbeing.
Programme Officer at the Centre for Gender Economics in Africa (CGE Africa), Regina Solomon, harped on the importance of ending gender economic inequalities and investing in the elderly, especially women.
With the organisation’s support for Senior Women’s Associations (SEWA), Solomon said the wellbeing of older women was being revitalised, a development that she described as critical for national growth.
Solomon noted further that there is a need to adopt the best approach and practice in creating models that regional and national bodies would leverage.
Although the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, had launched a N950 million Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme to support vulnerable elderly citizens from age 65 and above in the 36 states of the federation during the festive period, Solomon called for a sustainable programme.
She urged the federal and governments to create institutions for sustainable care instead of one off programmes.
