International Day of Older Persons, Tsakane
28 September 2006
We are here today to celebrate the International Day of Older Persons with
you, the older persons of Gauteng.
The theme for this year's International Day of Older Persons is "Improving
the Quality of Life for Older Persons: Advancing United Nations (UN) Global
Strategies".
The International Strategy on Ageing originates from the United Nations
Second World Assembly held in April 2002. This strategy has three
priorities:
* older persons and development
* advancing health and well-being into old age
* creating a supportive and an enabling environment.
South Africa is committed to implement the International Strategy on Ageing
as it recognised that you as older persons are custodians of our traditions,
our heritage and our past, and are mirrors of our future.
The Department of Health, together with other government departments,
recognises the need to implement strategies in line with the three priorities
the International Strategy on Ageing contributes to the fulfilment of this
theme, namely, "Improving the Quality of Life for Older Persons".
According to the 2001 census figures, persons who are 60 years and older in
South Africa constitute 7,32% (3,3 million) of the total population. We, as the
Department of Health, are aware that older persons experience specific health
problems and that their specific needs are related to the fact that many
persons are poor and have difficulty accessing services.
Appropriate clinical management guidelines for conditions affecting older
persons have been developed and implemented in healthcare facilities. Some
examples that are applicable to older persons are the management of
hypertension, diabetes, overweight and obesity, stroke, osteoporosis, arthritis
and prevention of chronic diseases of lifestyle. We also provide screening for
different conditions such as refractive errors of the eyes, and different
cancers. In addition we are also focus on foot health, active ageing and
prevention of falls.
The Policy on Free Health Care for Disabled People was implemented in July
2003 throughout the country, and this includes frail older persons. These
services include:
* all in - and outpatient hospital services (included cataract
surgery)
* specialised medical interventions for the prevention, correction or
rehabilitation of a disability
* provision of assertive devices, such as wheelchairs.
Older persons have equal access to free primary healthcare packages of
services at clinics; home-based care as well as palliative care. The provision
of long-term home-oxygen treatment for patients with lung complications leading
to less oxygen-uptake in the blood is another programme also available for our
older patients in the community. The major criterion to benefit from this
programme is cessation of smoking, where applicable.
We should ensure that we maintain sufficient stock of medicine for chronic
illnesses affecting older persons. There is no reason for our older persons to
come to a health facility more than once to collect their medicine.
Many persons, especially those who are 60 years and older become needlessly
blind as a result of cataract. The Vision 2020 Prevention of Blindness
Programme identified cataract surgery as one of the most cost-effective
interventions to reduce avoidable blindness.
A public-private partnership exists between the Department of Health and the
Bureau for the Prevention of Blindness, which renders cataract surgery in rural
areas of the country on behalf of the department. I am glad to announce that
since we started this project in 1997, we have performed more that 260 000
cataract operations.
Some of the other programmes available for older persons are dental care,
cancer prevention and screening, and the provision of food supplements for
chronically ill patients who are malnourished. The process of establishing
support groups for older persons with chronic conditions in the communities is
in place.
While it may seem that health problems are inevitable in old age, the
department firmly believes that many diseases can, in fact, be controlled or
even prevented. That is why we strive to empower our clinics and community
health centres to promote health and prevent or manage diseases of older
persons. We also emphasise the enormous need for older persons to adopt healthy
lifestyles.
Some ways in which our older people can reap health benefits are to improve
their diet and nutrition; maintain an appropriate weight; stop smoking and
alcohol abuse, and participate in regular physical activity.
Perceptions that older persons are dependent, sick and are unable to be
productive are now changing. With better health services and health awareness,
older persons are making vital contributions to their communities. As the
department, we remain committed to supporting them to continue enjoying a
better quality life. As government, we strive to have the necessary policies
and structures in place to create an appropriate environment for our older
persons.
We undertake to help you access all health services that government is
making available to you. Our institutions should be "age-friendly".
Our provinces are working hard to deliver cost-effective health services,
including special needs of our older persons. The department has systems in
place to measure the performance of the Health Programme for Older Persons in
all provinces. I am glad to announce that Gauteng province was the best
performing province during 2005/06 and I will therefore be handing over a
floating trophy to this province. Congratulations and keep up the good
work.
To all older persons of South Africa, we salute you!!
Issued by: Department of Health
28 September 2006
