ZANZIBAR, Oct 8 (NNN-DAILYNEWS) — ZANZIBAR President Dr Hussein Mwinyi has instructed all public institutions that serve the elderly to prioritise their needs and provide swift solutions to the challenges they face.
Dr Mwinyi said this when he graced celebrations for the International Day of Older Persons 2024 held in Pemba Island.
The International Day of Older Persons is observed annually on Oct 1 but was postponed to Monday Oct 7 in Zanzibar. This year’s theme is “Aging with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older Persons Worldwide.”
“It is essential for public health centres and hospitals to establish special windows or desks to serve the elderly, ensuring they receive priority treatment.
Additionally, there should be specialist doctors dedicated to elderly care,” Dr Mwinyi directed the Ministry of Health at the ZSSF hall in Tibirinzi, Chakechake District, Pemba South Region.
He also instructed the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport to expedite the issuance of special travel identification cards for the elderly, allowing them to pay half the fare, similar to students and people with disabilities.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Finance and Planning has been tasked with establishing a special budget to support “elderly councils” in all regions and ensuring that priority services for the elderly are available in all banks and financial institutions.
“The Ministry of Community Development, Elderly, Gender and Children, in collaboration with other institutions and NGOs, should continue public awareness campaigns to prevent the abuse of senior citizens and dispel superstitions and misconceptions, such as accusing the elderly of witchcraft, so they can live peacefully,” Dr Mwinyi said.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing all policies and laws that promote the welfare of the elderly in Zanzibar, directing the relevant ministry to work closely with grassroots leaders to ensure that senior citizens can access essential services, including medical care.
Dr Mwinyi praised grassroots leaders (Shehas) and district executives for establishing “Elderly Councils,” calling it a significant step in connecting the elderly with the community and central government, facilitating communication and information sharing on overcoming their challenges.
Zanzibar’s Minister of Community Development, Elderly, Gender and Children, Riziki Pembe Juma, assured that the government will provide sustainable care and respect for all elderly citizens, in line with both the United Republic of Tanzania and Zanzibar’s constitutions.
Speaking on behalf of his peers, senior citizen Ali Said Mattar thanked the president and expressed hopes for “special consideration” in public service delivery, including in public transport and hospitals.
Mattar also appealed to the government, particularly Dr Mwinyi, to increase the Universal Pension Scheme (UPS) from 20,000/- to 50,000/- and to raise pensions for retirees from 90,000/-to 180,000/-.
The Executive Director of the international organisation HelpAge, Smart Daniel, commended the Zanzibar government and Dr Mwinyi for their admirable strategies and care for the elderly, stating, the efforts were making Zanzibar a better place for senior citizens. — NNN-DAILYNEWS
