LAGOS— A non-governmental organisation, Age Nigeria Foundation has commemorated the 2023 World Elders Abuse Awareness Day, while seeking inclusion in the world health coverage for the elderly and aged in the country.
The event which holds every 15th day of June, was officially recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in December, 2021 through a request by International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse INPEA, a gIobal networks of organisations that protect older persons, Age Nigeria Foundation is a memberr of the global network.
The president of the foundation, Oluwayemisi Oluwole, said, “it is a taboo for older persons to report abuse, neglect and abandonment in public. Complaints on Abuse and ageism are underestimated and ignored by law enforcement and government agencies.
“we have embarked on campaigns to gather evidence from older persons who are victims of elders abuse and also raise the consciousness of all Nigerians on elders abuse”.
She added that it is a serious public health and societal problem that need support of both the general public and the government at all levels, adding that, it is one of the unique methods to tackle Institutional abuse and lack of integrated care for older persons in Nigeria.
Oluwole noted that Age Nigeria is presently working with Multi-sectoral stakeholders, government at all levels, local and international Institutions like Helpage International for Nigerian government at all levels to include older persons in health and care services by strengthening Primary Health Care through Universal Health Coverage.
“Age Nigeria is passionate to promote the Health Sustainable Goal (SDG-3) to ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all including older persons.
“They want the government to know that older persons require different approach to health and care services and often unable to pay for health and long-term care. Health system in the country needs to be realigned to meet the specific needs of older persons without financial hardship.
“This can only be achieved through the inclusion of older persons into the Universal Health Coverage and will help reduce Institution abuse of older persons in Nigeria.
“On World Health Day in April, Age Nigeria Foundation in partnership with Helpage International launched Community of Care Initiative to promote Universal Health Coverage fit for ageing population in Nigeria.
“The initiative will promote the rights of older persons on health and long-term care through collaboration with Stakeholders, policy makers, private sectors and government officials at all levels for the purpose of creating awareness and encourage older persons to be part of the government initiative on Universal Health Coverage and Primary Health Care that will respond to older persons diverse level of physical and mental capacities.
“Develop sustainable mechanism that can protect older persons and their families from undue financial burden. Comprehensive health and care service must be provided in the communities where they live.
“We can all work to accelerate progress towards Universal Health Coverage, the Sustainable Development Goals 3.8 and reduce Instititional abuse of older persons in our society”, she stressed
WEAAD commemoration is a special day in a year where Nigerians are mobilized to rally round older persons and amplify their voices against elder abuse and recognition of the rights of older persons in Nigeria.
For the past 12 years, the foundation have been creating awareness on elders abuse in Nigeria, protecting and rehabilitating older persons who are victims of elder abuse through her Elder Abuse Recovery Service EARS, both in the rural and urban areas.
