Localities should launch physical exercise programmes among the elderly and organise physical exercise activities for the elderly as part of cultural festivals, he said during a conference of the Vietnam National Committee for the Elderly (VNCE)’s in Hanoi on December 27.
The Deputy PM noted that the Ministry of Health and the Vietnam Social Insurance Fund are working together on a plan to construct health records for individuals, which will firstly be prioritised for the elderly and children.
Enterprises, organisations and individuals with outstanding achievements in implementing support policies for seniors should be honoured while public buildings should be designed to be accessible to the elderly, he stated.
He also asked the Ministry of Education and Training and other relevant agencies to design continuous learning programmes for senior citizens, while encouraging those with rich knowledge and experience to join in communicating laws in public education centres.
According to the VNCE, Vietnam has over 10 million elderly people, who account for nearly 11% of the population, 18.6% of whom are 80 and over.
As many as 6.63 million elderly citizens, or 65.7%, are living in rural areas, while about 22 percent are living in poor households.
As part of efforts to support the elderly, many localities have applied transportation discounts for them, along with a 15% reduction in aviation and railway tickets.
Deputy Minister of Health Pham Le Tuan also unveiled a model providing long-term and comprehensive health care services launched by the ministry in Hanoi’s Soc Son district which is being implemented effectively and which is expected to be expanded to other localities.
Currently, Vietnam has 50 central and provincial hospitals which have geriatrics faculties, 302 facilities providing a check-up space exclusively for the elderly, as well as 37,622 courtesy beds and 2,522 health care staff specialising in geriatrics.
However, the VNCE pointed to limitations in public awareness and support policies for the elderly, as many old people are living in poverty.
Members of the committee proposed a number of adjustments in policies for the elderly, especially for those from poor localities and ethnic minority groups.
They also asked for more resources for the implementation of policies, projects and programmes related to the elderly.
