Govt pleads for public support in maintaining elderly centres

The government has called on all districts and regional authorities and stakeholders to make provision for taking care of the elderly in their respective areas.

Deputy minister for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Stephen Kebwe made the call on Monday in parliament, saying taking care of the elderly especially those living in centres for the elderly is a cross cutting issue hence all stakeholders should participate.

Dr Kebwe was responding to a question raised by Azza Hillal Hamad (Special Seats, CCM) who had wanted to know government’s efforts towards addressing challenges facing Kolandoto centre for the elderly in Shinyanga Region.

The deputy minister said the Kolandoto Centre which accommodates 41 senior citizens is among 17 others that are under the government through the ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

“The government acknowledges the challenges facing the elderly who live in such centres. Among the challenges are sicknesses and not having relatives or children to look after them. However, the government has continued to provide services accordingly,” he said.

He noted that the government has been disbursing funds every year to finance the services provided by the 17 elderly centres including the Kolandoto centre.

He explained that in 2013/14, the government set aside 38,250,000/- for Kolandoto centre and also provided various supplies including 39 mattresses, 110 bed sheets, 100 blankets and two water tanks.

“The government also provided other basic needs such as food, clothing, medicines and counseling… however, there is still a need to renovate infrastructures at the centres,” he explained.

Dr Kebwe added that this financial year, 2014/15 the government has set aside 29,250,000/- purposely for the purchase of food and other operations at the Kolandoto centre for the elderly.

“The government will continue to provide for the elderly at the centre and renovate dilapidated infrastructures as per the availability of funds,” he added.