The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged the Federal Government to intensify measures to ensure that healthy aging remains a top priority in the national and sub-national agenda towards the attainment of the United Nations (UN) decade of healthy aging 2020-2023.
It stated that there is a need for strengthened health systems at all levels to be responsive to older people, and their needs.
Lafiya360 reports that the global health body further revealed that while the number of older persons worldwide is projected to more than double, reaching more than 1.5 billion persons in 2050, Nigeria currently has about 14.8 million aged 60 years and above.
Speaking at the National Summit on Healthy Aging in Abuja, with the theme: Decade of Healthy Ageing in Nigeria: Situation, Challenges and Transformative Pathway, the WHO Country Representative, Dr. Walter Mulombo said, “Globally, there were 703 million persons aged 65 or over in 2019.
Over the next three decades, the number of older persons worldwide is projected to more than double, reaching more than 1.5 billion persons in 2050.
“Apart from Northern Africa and Asia, the second fastest increase is projected for sub-Saharan Africa, where the population aged 65 or over could grow from 32 million in 2019 to 101 million in 2050.
“Despite spare data on older persons, Nigeria is not spared from these alarming figures with about 14.8 million aged 60 years and above.
“In 2020, Decade of Healthy Ageing (2020-2030) was promoted, WHO alongside other UN experts, civil society and the health professions have continued to support government of Nigeria’s efforts to discuss the five strategic objectives of the Global Strategy and Action plan on Ageing and Health while noting the progress and challenges in their realization.
“The strategy is at the center of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as aging issues cut across the 17 goals, especially Goal 3 which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being of all at all ages.
“Several studies assessing the Nigeria health system including within the current global COVID-19 pandemic have further revealed a need for strengthened health systems at all levels to be responsive to older people.
“The role of governance and coordination through partnerships as a major building block of the health system cannot be overemphasized as we gear towards strengthening multi-sectoral collaboration.
“The desired goal of ‘Leaving no one behind’ is achievable and can become a reality when and only when all stakeholders – Government from various sectors, development partners, and indeed the people represented in the various communities including older citizens join hands together for strengthened partnerships.
“To this end, this implementation of the strategic objectives of the ‘decade of heathy age become critical and will set the right stage for accelerated results towards improving the health and socioeconomic outcomes for older persons in Nigeria.”
In his charge to the government and all relevant stakeholders, Dr. Mulombo said, “We call upon the Government of Nigeria to continue to exercise leadership and increased investment in human capital development to further strengthen partnership and prioritizing for the Decade of Healthy Ageing by focusing on improved engagement with older people; better understanding of older peoples’ needs; developing and strengthening health and long-term care, specifically in communities and improved multisectoral action in aligning with the PHC system approach as we take opportunity of the recent PHC summit and its recommendations.
“Advocate for continued capacity-building; evidence-based guidance; support to connect, convene and exchange knowledge with relevant stakeholders; and data and innovation at all levels to inform decision making and better coordination and serve as a tool to provide feedback to health service delivery managers and communities resulting in improvements in service provision for the older persons in integrated approach.
“Coordination mechanisms should be strengthened to promote better outcomes for the decade through better healthy life expectancy; age-friendly cities and communities; and reduced number of older people who are care dependent. Effective integrated community-based approaches (ICOPE) are critical to improving the lives of older persons in Nigeria.”