Speaking at a session of the Vietnam National Committee for Elderly in Hanoi on January 2 he said, over the past time, old people have actively participated in social movements to help boost production and improve living conditions.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam speaks at the meeting.

“The role of the elderly has been particularly shown in learning promotion activities and we need to continue upholding this role if we want to build a ‘learning society’ in which the old people will not only encourage younger generations to study but also join in learning activities themselves,” he stressed.

They should play a greater role in cultural life, leading civilized lifestyles and in Party building activities in their localities, he noted.

Regarding tasks to take care of the elderly, the Deputy PM said localities should strive to have all old people holding health insurance cards and work to improve health care services for them, he said.

Apart from health care activities, attention should also be paid to programmes to entertain the elderly, he added.

Participants at the meeting discussed shortcomings hindering efforts to take care of the elderly such as low awareness of authorities in some localities about their responsibilities relating to the elderly, poor implementation of tasks related to old people, and a lack of mechanisms and policies encouraging the private sector to invest in establishments taking care of the elderly.

Financial shortages and a lack of land for health care services and cultural and sports activities for the elderly also remain as challenges, they noted.

Deputy PM Dam asked ministries, agencies and localities to establish funds to take care of the elderly and promote their role in society.

They were also asked to review tasks relating to elderly people within their jurisdiction to ensure the tasks are fulfilled effectively.

Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung said supervision and inspection should be strengthened to ensure the effectiveness of activities for elderly people.

The ministry is compiling a draft law on social activities which considers the establishment of the model of the social security fund to help tackle financial shortages for social activities at localities, according to Dung. The fund will target the elderly, children and the poor.

As of 2018, Vietnam has more than 11.3 million elderly people, accounting for nearly 12% of the country’s total population. Of the figure, nearly 2 million are more than 80 years old.

As many as 3.1 million elderly people receive retirement pension and social insurance allowance, while some 1.6 million others get monthly social allowance and more than 10.8 million old people hold health insurance cards.

Secretary Bui Van Hai visits and presents gifts to outstanding older persons

(BGO) – On the occasion of the 27th  anniversary of International Day of Older Persons October 1 (1991 - 2018). Bui Van Hai, Member of Central Party Committee, Secretary of the Bac Giang provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the provincial People’s Council on September 21 visited and presented gifts to two outstanding older persons in Bac Giang city. 

 

"Doctors and friends" club provides free health examination and medicine to older persons and policy beneficiaries in Hiep Hoa

(BGO) - The "Doctors and friends" club under UNESCO center for culture and sports development (Vietnam Union of UNESCO Associations) on October 21 held a humanitarian medical checkup in Thanh Van commune, Hiep Hoa district (Bac Giang province).

 

Bac Giang city ranks first at traditional sports festival for older persons

(BGO) – The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism in the northern province of Bac Giang on November 3 coordinated with the provincial Association for the Elderly to hold the soft volleyball competition (the last game) at the provincial Center of Culture, Sports and Tourism within the framework of the twenty five Traditional Sports Festival for Older Persons 2018 in the province. 

 

Bac Giang honors 150 outstanding officials of Elderly Associations

(BGO) – The Bac Giang provincial Elderly Association on July 23 organized a ceremony honoring the Chairpersons of the Elderly Associations (EA) in the communes, wards and towns as well as outstanding Heads of the Elderly Divisions (ED) in the provincial level for the period of 2012 – 2017. 

 

Vietnam cares for elderly population

The Vietnamese Government has mobilized all sources to care for the elderly population. 

 

Source: NDO/VNA