Welfare of Senior Citizens of the Country in Health Matters- Implementation of National Policy of Older Persons, 99.

To                                                                                               Date:  19-12-12.

 Shri P.K.Pradhan,  Secretary (H & FW),

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India,

Nirman Bhavan,  Room No. 156 A,  New Delhi-110 011.

Sub: Welfare of Senior Citizens of the Country in Health Matters- Implementation of National Policy of Older Persons, 99.

We are very much thankful to the Ministry of Health for giving us National Policy of  Health Care of Elderly (NPHCE) and we are also happy to note that Health Ministry is very sincere in getting it implemented by States at an early date.

Though, Health is a State Subject, most of the States having not yet accepted National Policy, 99 even after 14 years, we need the help of Ministry of Health in certain matters. It is observed that in spite of your Ministry`s instructions to all Stake Holders (Para 39 of Policy) to ensure that elderly patients are not subjected to long waits and visits to different counters for medical tests & treatment, many Government, Municipal and Charitable Hospitals, Dispensaries, Laboratories, Consultants are not giving any preference to Elder patients and make Elders to wait for long time. Some have provided separate counter for Case Paper & receiving Medicines but not for examination by doctors (different Specialists) or pathological tests etc and elders have to wait in que for going to various doctors, X-ray rooms, ECG rooms, pathology department etc for various ailments and checks. We shall be thankful, if proper detailed instructions are issued covering all these requirements immediately and reiterated periodically, as one of the important components of NPHCE is information, communication and education of all concerned. Under Secretary, NPHCE vide his letter no. T.21020/38/2012-NCD(M) dt 1-8-12 and 16-10-12 has declined to issue such instructions on the plea that States have to issue such instructions. Instructions from Central Ministry for uniformal following  by all concerned are necessary and we request that proper instructions to all concerned are issued by Our Health Ministry.

Similarly, Health Ministry is requested to advise private hospitals, private practitioners and consultants also about necessity of looking after Elders on similar lines, though private parties may not be under Health Ministry. General directive to Private Parties for improving health care of elders from Health Ministry is very much necessary and desirable. As Health Ministry is doing lot to create awareness generation programmes etc, it is requested that awareness may be created for your 12 crore Elders amongst Private Health Agencies also.

 Improper treatment of Elders by Government/non-government agencies, Municipal and Private Sector is an ABUSE of ELDERS. There is absolute and urgent need of special instructions and training to doctors and all medical staff to treat Elders with respect and care, as present attitude at many places is ``you have already lived long and no useful purpose will be served by investigations and treatment.`` Some (considerable number)  doctors and staff misbehave also. In addition to instructions to all Stake Holders, there is 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. They deserve respect, care and sympathy. Early preparation of Charter for Senior Citizens for all their Health Care Needs is also necessary.

With number of Senior Citizens increasing and facing various ailments due to ageing and not being able to get proper medical aids due to less or no income at this age, it is necessary that Ministry of Health initiates fast measures to rationalize cost structure of medical requirements of elders including cost of medicines. The health ministry is also gearing up to make "Free medicine for all 
through Public Health Facilities" in all government health facilities a reality from next month.  As per recent reports, a study by the Cost Audit branch of the MCA found that drugs like Calpol manufactured by Glaxosmithkline, Corex Cough Syrup by Pfizer, Revital by Ranbaxy Global, Omez by Dr Reddy's Labs, Azithral by Alembic and several others were being sold at a mark up of up to 1,123% over the cost of production. Worried over the findings of the study, India's Corporate Affairs Minister M Veerappa Moily has written to Health Minister seeking appropriate action on curbing this practice of pharma companies. He has forwarded a copy of the study also. As we consider Health Ministry as our Nodal Ministry for all our Health Needs, we request you to take some immediate steps to remove such abnormal costing of medicines. Such high profit earning is nothing but ABUSE of ELDERS. We would also request you to use your good offices with manufacturing & distributing agencies all over India to give sufficiently high concessions like 50% (as in fare by transport, air, railways etc) to all Senior Citizens, as they need every month lot of medicines for age related chronic ailments at this age, when their income is very less or no income, though pricing of medicines is not controlled by Health Ministry.  

 Rs 75 crore were provided in 11^th Plan for providing 30 bedded Departments of Geriatric in 8 identified Regional Medical Institutes and to provide dedicated health care facilities in District Hospitals etc in 100 districts of 21 States. Though this Programme is stated to have been initiated, nothing tangible appears to have been provided, though more than 2 years has passed. As 100 more districts are to be covered every year in 12 th Plan and one year of 12^th Plan is coming to end shortly, it is necessary that time bound programme is fixed for each stage and monitored by Directorate General of Health Services(Dte.GHS) having subordinate offices spread all over the country to ensure timely implementation of NPHCE. Similar monitoring of 12 Regional Geriatric Centres may also be given to DGHS.

We shall also be obliged, if proper detailed instructions are issued to Ministries of Railways, Defence etc having separate full-fledged Medical Departments for adopting various measures of NPHCE for their retired employees, so that they also start working on this marvelous scheme of NPHCE. 

We shall be thankful, if immediate action on these abuses is taken and action taken with copies of instructions issued for separate ques at every stage of taking treatment advised at an early date. A line in reply to this representation in terms of para 66 of Office Manual will be very much appreciated.

Thanking you,

Yours Sincerely,

(M.V.Ruparelia)