Ageing Population on the Rise

bdnews24.com

April 5, 2012

Bangladesh


Picture Credit: Kate Holt

 

 As more people now survive the challenges of childbirth and live longer through adulthood to reach old age, steps should be taken to turn them into 'productive force'.

"We will put forward the issue of ageing population," health and family welfare minister AFM Ruhal Haque said on Thursday, 'but it needs concerted effort of all including the media and civil society'.

The minister was briefing journalists at the Secretariat on the eve of World Health Day. The Day will be celebrated on Apr 7, WHO's founding day, in Bangladesh as elsewhere across the globe with the theme: 'Ageing and Health'.

As nearly 7 percent of the world's total population is aged above 60, WHO highlights the need for countries to take steps to prevent non-communicable diseases, and to ensure that systems and services are in place to provide treatment and care when it is required.

It has been estimated that over 8 percent of the population living in member states of WHO's South-East Asia Region are above the age of 60 years.

This proportion is expected to increase to 12 percent by 2025, and to over 20 percent by 2050.

The main health challenges for older people everywhere are non-communicable diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and chronic lung diseases.

WHO director-general Dr Margaret Chan in a media release said: "People in low- and middle-income countries currently face up to four times the risk of death and disability from non-communicable diseases than people in high-income countries."

The health minister said people aged above 60 comprise 6.8 percent of Bangladesh's total population. "Their ailments can be prevented through timely initiatives."

He listed government's steps to ensure healthcare of the aged people.

"They can seek medical care in all facilities," he said.

Marking the Day, on Apr 7, the ministry of health will organise rally, seminars, display health education messages, a film show and folk music at local levels.

Bangladesh has been celebrating the Day since 1972 when it became the member of WHO.