Background
In recognition of the vulnerability and rights of senior citizens, the Ministry of Health and Population decided to develop a Geriatric Health Service Strategy. The Ministry has enforced this strategy in accordance with the powers entrusted to the Ministry by the Government of Nepal (Allocation of Business) Rules, 2018 and the prevailing Governance (Management and Operations) Act, 2007.
Priorities of the Strategy
Nepal’s constitutional and policy commitments provide a firm basis for healthy ageing. Healthy ageing is the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables well-being in older age. This strategy builds state capacity to support healthy ageing and provide quality health care to senior citizens. As part of Nepal’s pursuit of Universal Health Coverage, this strategy has the following priorities:
- Easy access to, and availability of quality health services for senior citizens;
- Competent execution and strengthening of health promotion and protection, quality health care service delivery and social health insurance for senior citizens;
- Multisectoral advocacy for sensitization and awareness of health ageing;
- Strengthening and expansion of family and community support systems for healthy ageing;
- Capacity enhancement of health facilities at all levels engaged in delivering basic curative services, long-term care, community-based and home-based curative services for senior citizens;
- Strengthening the development and utilisation of integrated information management system for the health of senior citizens;
- Planning, management and development of appropriate human resources for ensuring quality health service delivery for senior citizens;
- Guaranteeing gender equitable and inclusive health care services for senior citizens and ensuring accountability;
- Effective implementation, and the strengthening and expansion of financially sustainable social health insurance system for senior citizens;
- Institutional integration and development of geriatric health services at provincial and local levels.
Vision: A meaningful, quality and healthy life for all senior citizens.
Purpose: To protect the health rights of senior citizens by means of their health promotion and protection, effective delivery of health services and an improved system of social health insurance.
Goal: To enable senior citizens to lead active and quality lives on the basis of optimum health protection and effective health service delivery.
Objectives
The Geriatric Health Service Strategy has the following main objectives:
- To provide lifelong health promotion and protection services to senior citizens.
- To build an effective, inclusive and accountable health service delivery system for senior citizens.
- To promote multisectoral coordination, harmony, collaboration and partnerships to achieve effective geriatric health services.
- Motivate senior citizens for healthy living and enhance awareness at family and community levels to reinforce health promoting actions. (Objective 1)
- Strengthen and expand the health protection system for senior citizens. (Objective 1)
- Increase access to, and the affordability and utilization of quality health services and assistive devices by senior citizens. (Objective 1)
- Develop a senior citizen-inclusive health system to address the health needs of senior citizens in an appropriate manner. (Objective 2)
- Motivate and enhance the professional and technical competence of health personnel to provide quality geriatric health services effectively and efficiently. (Objective 2)
- Expand and strengthen innovative and implementable social health insurance reform measures to respond to the needs of senior citizens and their family members. (Objective 2)
- Mainstream and institutionalize the health concerns of senior citizens into the health system at all levels. (Objective 3)
- Strengthen coordination and harmonization across spheres of government and across sectors for the effective delivery of geriatric health services. (Objective 3).
Recommended readings
- Geriatrics (Senior Citizens) Health Service Program Implementation Guideline-2077
- Medical Treatment of Deprived Citizens (Bipanna Nagarik Kosh), MoHP
- Geriatric Care Center Operation Guideline and Standards
