Keeping the old healthy

Star: PETALING JAYA: The National Health Council for the Elderly will be revived to take care of rising number of the aged in the country.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the council, which has been dormant for several years, would help coordinate better healthcare facilities, treatment, counselling and home nursing for the now two million senior citizens.
“The Government has revived the council as more and more Malaysians are living longer and need more health facilities.
“The council will now have to plan and implement programmes with other Government agencies and NGOs to keep the elderly healthy and happy,” he added.
Dr Chua said the Government had also formulated a National Policy for Older People, which recognises senior citizens' role in the socio-economic development of the county.
“Not only must we give the best possible medical care to older patients but also treat them with respect and dignity.
“I have directed, where feasible and with available resources, that special lanes be set up at Government hospitals and clinics to reduce the waiting time for senior citizens,” he said, after opening a carnival and food fair organised by the Selangor and Federal Territory Senior Citizens Association in conjunction with Senior Citizens Day yesterday.
Proceeds from the fair will go towards the construction of a day care activity centre for the elderly.
Dr Chua said that the elderly had a lot to contribute.
“They are often wrongly viewed as a group, who are no longer able to contribute positively to their families and societies, and even viewed as a burden by some.
“But this has been proven wrong. In eastern culture, we have been reminded time and again to accord them the honour they deserve,” he added.
Dr Chua said families should be motivated to care for the elderly and be responsible for their welfare.
He also voiced his concern that that geriatrics was unpopular as a career option. There are only nine geriatricians in the country.
“I urge more doctors with a passion to treat the elderly to specialise in geriatrics,” he added.
There are only three general hospitals – Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Seremban Hospital and Banting Hospital – that give full geriatric care.
Dr Chua said that under the 9th Malaysia Plan, geriatric facilities would be available in government hospitals in Alor Star, Penang, Johor Baru, Kuala Terengganu and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu.
The elderly proportion in the country is expected to reach 3.4 million or 10% of the population by the end of 2020.
This follows the improved life expectancy in Malaysia, which at the end of last year stood at the age of 71 for men and 76 for women.