The Federal Ministry of Health has launched the Elder Friendly Hospital Initiative (ELDFHRI), to address personal care and environmental needs of the elderly.
Dr Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Health, disclosed this during the opening of the first international training of trainers in Geriatrics at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), on Monday in Benin.
The theme: “Achieving Quality Healthcare for Elderly in Africa,” was aimed at achieving good health of the elderly in Africa and ameliorating their health challenges.
Ehanire defined Geriatrics as “a healthcare specialty dedicated to meeting the healthcare needs of the older persons.”
He said the initiative was to ensure that amenities in health care facilities were tailored to peculiar needs of the elderly.
“We shall mount advocacy to make UBTH a regional centre for geriatric training for the African region.
“As the ageing population in Nigeria increases, like in many developed countries, so does the demand for care and support for them, arising from potential health and social problems associated with old age.
According to him, ” the ministry was working with the National Pension Commission, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) and National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Ehanire said the collaboration was to ensure that formal sector retirees retained the benefit of their NHIS up to age 70, before switching over to the National Non-Contributory Health Insurance Scheme.
On his part, the Chief Medical Director of UBTH, Dr Darlington Obaseki, said elderly persons needed serious care and pampering in order for them to live long.
“Geriatrics services in UBTH have impacted greatly on the health of older persons, such that the 15-bedded ward has increased to 20.
“But utilisation demands by older persons and their relatives keep increasing, thereby creating a strong need for a comprehensive geriatric centre with expanded space and improved equipment,” he said.
Obaseki added that, UBTH was taking the lead in providing locally relevant and affordable training of international standard to multi-disciplinary professionals.
According to him, ” the professionals were drawn from the three levels of the health sector (primary, secondary and tertiary) as well as private sectors and related disciplines.
Board Chairman of UBTH, Bashorun Adewolu, called on all stakeholders to collaborate with the elder friendly hospital initiative, to make aging in Nigeria a pleasant experience.
The board chairman said, “This is the reason we are all seated here today.
“One consistent drop of water will someday make an ocean, hence the UBTH has taken the bull by the horn to mobilise all stakeholders to synergise and promote the wellbeing ofolderr persons.
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