Anambra State Commissioner for Special Duties, Barrister Beverly Ikpeazu-Nkemdiche, has commended the National Senior Citizens Centre for developing holistic documents which provide a co-operative, multisectoral and multidimensional approach to the intervention for the older persons in the Nigeria.
She gave the commendation in an interview with journalists after virtually attending the unveiling of “Policy Documents on Geriatric Social Care Sector in Nigeria” by President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, which attracted participants from the health sector, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons, NAPTIP, stakeholders in the geriatology sector of the country, civil and non-governmental organizations, among others.
Barrister Ikpeazu-Nkemdiche said with the documents now providing standardization, sub-nationals such as Anambra State where the Governor Chukwuma Soludo administration is already tinkering on an inclusive policy for the poor and elderly, will be guided to develop policies that cater to the immediate needs of the elderly.
Speaking on the theme of the conference, “Geriatric social care and value chain: A case for social investment”, the Director General of National Senior Citizens Centre, Dr Emem Omokaro said with the unveiling of the documents and the inauguration of the geiatric social care sector skills’ council, Nigeria has taken a first and major step towards providing senior citizens access to compassionate care, care settings where interventions are based on the understanding of the needs of older people and ultimately promoting aging with dignity, better quality of life and independence.
In his remarks, President Tinubu, represented by his Special Adviser on Health, Dr Salman Anas, said his government is committed to enhancing the welfare of senior citizens and older persons in Nigeria, adding that through the document and the council, his government will mainstream the care for older people in the country through homegrown solutions and policies tailored towards the country’s cultural norms.
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