Binh Dinh’s old age care has changed towards encouraging trend in recent years. On the occasion of the forthcoming International Day for Older Persons (October 1), the head of the representative board of the Vietnam’s Elderly Association’s affiliate in Binh Dinh, Nguyen Ngoc Anh, talks about the old age care in Binh Dinh and the Law on the Elderly, which has just taken effect.
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The aged persons from Ly Thuong Kiet ward, Quy Nhon City are performing Tai Chi exercise.
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Could you brief us on Binh Dinh’s old age care in recent years?
Binh Dinh now has 160,875 old aged persons, who are aged at least 60, making up 10.8 percent of the province’s total population. Among them, 127,000 are members of the Vietnam’s Elderly Association’s affiliate in Binh Dinh, accounting for 78.52 percent of the total old aged persons.
The association established its branches at 157 wards, communes and towns and 1,120 residential communities. The old age care and role enhancement of the elderly have enjoyed favourable conditions in recent years.
Annually, June 6, taken as the Vietnam Elderly’s Day, is a chance for the whole community to take care of the elderly.
All Vietnam’s Elderly Association’s affiliates in Binh Dinh have been making every effort to improve the care for the elderly. There are 182 sport and music clubs of all kinds for the elderly all over the province, including Tai Chi exercise, yoga meditation, chess, badminton, and poetry clubs.
Sport activities are strongly developing. The province’s association also organizes sport games every two years, attracting hundreds of old aged persons.
The association also pays much attention its members’ livings. 1,545 old aged persons who are living alone and 14,045 who are aged over 85 and have no retirement pension or social welfare are granted the monthly allowance of 180.000 VND/person and free issuance of health insurance.
Notably, 80 old aged persons are being cared at social protection centres and other 30 are being looked after at centre for persons who have the merit of assisting the revolution. The province’s fund for the old age care has reached over VND7 billion now, enough for timely assistance to the elderly in case of their sickness or death.
Among recent activities of the association, the campaign “One million donated warm coats for the poor elderly” and the movement of dilapidated house abolishment for the poor elderly are most notable. Could you tell us about the two activities?
In 2009, as the campaign “One million donated warm coats for the poor elderly” was launched, 28,365 warm coats were mobilized as gifts for the poor elderly. Concerning the latter movement, the association has assisted them in building 3,126 new houses over the last 5 years. 1,750 new houses were built last year. Almost no old aged person is living in dilapidated houses.
Despite encouraging achievements, the old age care in certain localities is still facing many obstacles?
In mountainous and islandish areas, spiritual and physical lives of the elderly are deprived. They don’t have many chances to access healthcare services. The fund for the old age care in the remote localities is too limited to implement the activities of looking after the elderly. Many localities don’t have entertainment facilities for the elderly. Furthermore, the central budget for the old age care is limited, too.
Could you reveal the new policies for the elderly?
The law has 6 chapters, 31 articles. It was passed it on November 23, 2009 by the National Assembly and took effect on July 1, 2010. During its execution of the law, the government will draw out appropriate policies which ensure rights of the elderly and bring into full play of their important role.
The law reflects well a Vietnamese tradition of respect for the elderly. The old aged persons will enjoy longevity wishing ceremonies held by the state and the organizations as required regulations.
In addition, they will be guaranteed with healthcare needs through periodical medical examinations and treatments at medical clinics. Those who are aged over 80 are specially given priorities.
Hospitals will establish geriatrics departments or save certain hospital beds for the elderly care. The elderly will be provided with better conditions to participate in cultural, educational, physical training, sports, entertainment, tourist and recreation activities; to enjoy welfare of public works and public transportation.
The new law also guarantees that any person who are aged over 80 (Binh Dinh has 2,500 persons) without retirement pension and social insurance will be provided with monthly allowances, health insurances and funeral expenses (if dead).
Chairpersons of provincial People’s Committees will visit and offer gifts to any elderly person who are aged 90 rather than 100. State bodies and agencies create favourable conditions for the elderly to self-promote their abilities via proposals, petitions, initiatives or direct contribution to science, production and business.
The association is going to collaborate with relevant bodies and agencies like Binh Dinh the Central Department of Propaganda of the Communist Party-Binh Dinh affiliate, the Vietnam Lawyers' Association – Binh Dinh branch and mass media in the province in raising awareness of people about the law.
Meanwhile, the association will make every effort to raise fund for the old age care at 3 levels of province, district and commune. The remote and mountainous areas will be particularly paid much attention.
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