Minister calls for review the ‘Ageing Policy’

Dr Ndugulile said there was a need to have new ageing policy that can accommodate all issues related to challenges facing old people in the country. 

He was speaking at the closure of a two days action plan meeting in Dodoma to discuss technique to fight against the killing of old people as well as to know the new strategy ending killings of old people launched recently.

The minister urged the directorate of social welfare to work on the directives from Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa on January 29, this year during the social welfare officer’s annual meeting.

The Premier urged them to speed up the process of completing the bill about ageing policy so that their rights and benefits should not be taken as voluntary issue instead implemented according to the law.

He said his office was waiting for it so that it could be submit to the Premier’s office.

Dr Ndugulile hinted that in the preparation of the new health policy, old people issues had been given most priority including their treatment in public hospitals.

On January 28, this year, the Help Age International h lauded the move by the government to launch its national strategy to ending the killings of older people in the country.

the HelpAge International Country Director, Smart Daniel, said that ahead of launching in Dodoma, that it was a culmination of massive collaborative work by the government and stakeholders concerned with the unacceptable prevailing circumstances the older people face in the country.

“The bad culture and traditions that perpetuate the killings of older people aggravate psychological torture on the older people,” he said.

He added that the move by the government was a clear demonstration of the need by the state to safeguard the rights and protection of older people.

Older people in Tanzania have experienced violence and killings in communities due to belief associated with witchcraft traditions.

A number of state and non-state agencies currently estimate that annually, over 400 older people are killed on witchcraft allegations.

Smart hinted that HelpAge International had over the years worked closely with the government to develop a comprehensive legal and policy framework to end not just the killings but all other forms of systemic exclusionary and discriminatory practices against older people.