Kathmandu, September 30
The National Human Right Commission today made public a report on human rights situation of elderly people on the occasion of 18th International Day of Older Persons, which is being marked tomorrow.
The report states that despite various plans and programmes announced by the government for the welfare of elderly people, living conditions in elderly homes remain poor. It also stated that funds donated by individuals and organisations for the upkeep of elderly homes were being misused due to lack of proper monitoring by the government.
Most elderly homes are not following the government regulation, while few have maintained basic services. The majority of elderly homes do not have any difficultly feeding the elderly, but lack health care and caretakers, it states.
The report also states that some elderly people were not able to get social security allowance due to lack of citizenship certificate. A large number of senior citizens have ended up in shelter homes as they do not have any family member willing to take care of them.
The report states that there are more elderly people from the hills living in such homes than the Tarai. Similarly, the number of elderly women living in such homes is higher than elderly men.
The national human rights body has suggested to the government to categorise elderly homes on the basis of their capacity and donations they receive. Local bodies could play a role in improving the living conditions in such homes. The elderly homes sheltering more than 10 persons should also be required to have a doctor on standby in case of emergencies. The Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens had allocated Rs 113 million, Ministry of Urban Development Rs 107 million and Ministry of Finance Rs 71.9 million for improving the lives of elderly people.
The post NHRC urges government to monitor living conditions in elderly homes appeared first on The Himalayan Times.
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