Information given by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Information given by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare under their letter no. T.21020/38/2012-NCD(M) dt 1-8-12 received on 6-9-12 in reply to our Representation dt 15-6-12 to Hon. Health Minister on occasion of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, 2012.

The major components of National Policy of Health Care of Elderly (NPHCE) during 11^th Five Year Plan were establishment of 30 bedded Department of Geriatric in 8 identified Regional Medical Institutions (Regional Geriatric Centres) in different regions of the Country and to provide dedicated health care facilities in District Hospitals, Community Health Centres  (CHCs), Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and sub centres level 100 identified districts of 21 States. The Programme has been initiated in all the 8 Regional Medical Institutes and 91 districts so far. It is proposed to cover the remaining districts under the Programme during 12^th Five Year Plan in a phased manner @ 100 districts per year and develop 12 additional Regional Geriatric Centres in selected Medical Colleges of the Country in the first 3 years. The Regional Institutes will provide technical support to the geriatric units at district hospitals, whereas district hospitals will supervise & coordinate the activities down below at CHC, PHC and sub-centres.

Special provision has been made in NPHCE for the training of doctors, paramedical staff at sub-centres, Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), District Hospitals and Regional Geriatric Centres. The main aim of the Government of India, at present, is to provide dedicated health care to the elderly at all primary health care facilities.

The comments regarding the necessity of `` A Charter for Senior Citizens`` for all their health care needs has been noted.

M.V.Ruparelia, A503 RashmiUtsav, Near Jangid Estate & Vijay Park, Mira Road (East), Dist. Thane.401 107.  M. 09821732855. E/Mail: mvrup@yahoo.co.in

To                                                                                               Date:  7-9-12. 

 Shri S.K.Gupta, Under Secretary (NPHCE),

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India,

Nirman Bhavan,  New Delhi-110 011.

Sub: Various Issues related to Senior Citizens of the Country.

Ref: Your letter no. T.21020/38/2012-NCD(M) dt 1-8-12 received on 6-9-12 by ordinary post in reply to our Representation dt 15-6-12 to Hon. Health Minister on occasion of WEAADay, 2012.

1.      We are very much thankful for your above, giving useful information about progress of NPHCE etc in consultation with Directorate General of Health Services. We shall disseminate it to senior Citizens at grass root levels through our Magazines/Newsletters.

2.      We appreciate your stand that State/UT authorities have to ensure proper separate queues etc. We request you to give a second thought to our request in para 3 of our representation  dt 15-6-12 to Minister of Health and issue proper detailed instructions covering various points brought out therein and reiterate such instructions periodically, as one of the important components of Health Policy is information, communication and education of all concerned. Directive from Health Ministry for this will make lot of difference.

3.We would also request you to examine our request in para 2 of our representation dt 15-6-12 and issue proper detailed instructions to Ministries of Railways, Defence etc having separate full-fledged Medical Departments, so that they also start working on this Scheme for their retired employees. 

4. You have advised in para 4 of your above that special provision is made in NPHCE for training of Doctors  & Paramedical staff. We appreciate this provision but request you to issue special instructions on lines requested in para 4 our representation to Hon Minister, as we find the attitude of several doctors and staff very humiliating. There is also necessity of Mass Media Programme to increase awareness of public as well as doctors, staff, care givers etc on various aspects of health problems of Elders, as laid down in paras 73 and 88 to 90 of NPOP, 99. Elders deserve respect, care and sympathy and this can be created by our Health Ministry also. Though private hospitals & doctors etc are not under administrative control of Health Ministry, we would be grateful, if some advice can be given to private hospitals, private practitioners and consultants also about necessity of looking after Elders by giving preference in examination, concessions in charges etc on similar lines through some communication, press note, media etc, as specifically laid down in paras 34 & 38 of NPOP, 99. Cost of medicines is controlled by other Ministry but an appeal by our Health Ministry to the Medicine producing agencies and Associations of Chemists can make them induce giving some concessions to ageing population, who need medicines like food and can ill afford. We request you to take suitable action on  India's Corporate Affairs Minister M Veerappa Moily`s Report to you seeking appropriate action on curbing the mal- practices of pharma companies. He has forwarded a copy of the study to you. As we consider you as our Nodal Minister for all our Health Needs, we request you to take some immediate steps to remove such abnormal costing of medicines. We request your Ministry to be our Nodal Ministry for all our Health Care requirements.

5. We are thankful for accepting our suggestion to prepare Charter for senior citizens for their all Health Care Needs.

6. Incidentally, Ministry of Finance (Insurance), while advising the action taken by them, has advised under their letter dt 16-8-12 that some recommendations vide paras 12.47 to 12.53(except 12.51)  

 of K.S.Sastry Committee pertain to you and progress was requested under their number F.14017/8/2008-Ins.IV dt 1-4-08 and position may be obtained from you. Medical Insurance for each Senior Citizen is a must, as laid down in para 36 of NPOP, 99 and keeping the views and arguments in ``Obama Care`` of USA, our Government should also provide Health Insurance to all Senior Citizens.

7. In view of importance of Health Care of Elders and Ministry of Health having already embarked upon far reaching NPHCE, we may request the Ministry to form a small Committee with representatives of Associations of Senior Citizens to monitor the progress of NPHCE from time to time at Centre and State/UT levels, as provided in para 73 of NPOP, 99.This para lays down that there will be continuous dialogue and communication with NGOs on all ageing issues and on all services to be provided.

8. A line in reply to this representation in terms of para 66 of Office Manual will be very much appreciated. E/Mail of your concerned officials with names and designations may kindly be advised.

Thanking you,

Yours Sincerely,

(M.V.Ruparelia)