DHAKA: Government is going to declare a total of 1.25 crore people as the senior citizen (SC) of the country. President Abdul Hamid will make the declaration in October, said sources concerned.

All SCs will get their identity (ID) cards step by step across the country after the inauguration of program by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The SC will be given special privileges from the state.

Social Welfare Ministry secretary Nasima Begum told banglanews that the president was secluded to make the declaration on the eve of The International Day of Older Persons on October 1, which has been delayed.

Now, it will be made when the president will give his schedule and he himself is also a SC, added Nasima.

The secretary said the SCs who are over 60 will be handed over the special ID cards after finalizing the matter and all SCs will get the ID gradually.

Earlier on November 17 last year, senior citizen policy was approved and was published in the gazette on last February 11.

After the gazette notification the work plan is under finalization process.

Recently government instructed the Election Commission to issue separate ID cards for them.

Earlier, Social Welfare Ministry joint-secretary Hossain Mollah told banglanews, the premier will handed over the ID cards to the SCs formally upon completion of making works of the cards.

The SCs will usually be provided different special privileges including medical and communication facilities.

The facilities for the senior citizens:

The senior citizens will get recognition and identity card from the state. Simultaneously they will get security of life and property irrespective of religion, cast, creed and gender ensuring discrimination free and oppression free safe environment. Of them the incapable people will get health services on priority basis. The capable people will also get health facilities on priority basis.

Old welfare program:

A special welfare fund will be created through government, non government and voluntary organizations. Old savings scheme will be introduced like defense savings certificates. With the donations from local and international organizations a fund will be created for the welfare of the senior citizens.

Financial security:

In the village and urban areas old age friendly short term and long term savings schemes will be introduced. Arrangements will be made for their employment as per age and capacity. Poverty reduction program will be made available for their dependents. Along side government initiatives the NGO and voluntary organizations will be encouraged for their employment by the government.

Security of life and property:

Government will take special care for saving the life and property of the senior citizens. Their legal rights will be preserved so that they do not become victim of discrimination and oppression. They will be specially protected by the law enforcing agencies.

Care and nutrition:

For the development of seniors’ health services the subject of old people care will be included in the curriculum of medical education and there will be departments for their care in all medical colleges and district level hospitals. This program will be introduced all government and private hospitals.

To take emergency health care the hospitals will be given special allocation along with health access voucher health service card.

Special welfare program: The ultra poor, deprived of opportunities, challenged and physically weak and sick will be identified and the male and female members of families will be also identified. For their help a fund will be created with the help of government, Ngo and voluntary agencies.

Non government organization:

Government will patronize different voluntary agencies for the welfare of senior people. In the policy frame the international donor agencies will be included for building welfare fund for the seniors.

Mode of implementation: A monitoring committee will be constituted with Social welfare Ministry, NGO and persons. This committee will monitor its implementation and evaluation.  For detailed work a separate section will be opened in the concerned ministry. This committee will also evaluate and monitor the program.

The situation prevails in the senior citizens in the country: The number of the senior people is rising with the fall of the death rate. In 1998 their number was 4.98 percent. In 2001 the number increased to 6.98 percent. In coming 2050 A.D. they will be 20 percent of the total population.

BDST: 12311 HRS, SEP 26, 2014