Catering to the elderly

Projected doubling of population over the age of 65 underscores the need for a reevaluation of our healthcare system

By 2023, the average life expectancy in Pakistan is anticipated to rise from 66 to 72 years. In addition, the country’s percentage of people over the age of 65 is expected to double by 2025. This latest information comes from collaborative work between the World Health Organisation (WHO) and researchers affiliated with the Dow University of Health Sciences. While longer life expectancy is a sign of a stronger health environment than before — owing to an improvement in the quality of healthcare, greater access to information and a slight public tilt towards healthier lifestyles — there is a requirement to ensure that those additional years of life meet quality of life standards. Painting a grim picture of hope, Pakistan’s child and maternal healthcare are already in a poor state. The projected doubling of the population over the age of 65 underscores the need for a reevaluation of our healthcare system and calls for an assessment of the elderly population’s needs to ensure its well-being. Planning for the impending geriatric population rise needs to begin well in advance, but the first step is for health departments to develop the will to care for citizens and demonstrate this through better health policies.

A current overview of the infrastructure in place tells us we are not well-equipped to cater to a significant portion of the elderly population. Pakistan’s GDP spending of 0.42 per cent on healthcare between July 2014 and March 2015 is ghastly, though it seeks to improve upon this with the recently announced National Health Programme. According to the WHO report, there is a shift away from traditional Pakistani family values and culture, resulting in families that are less nuclear than before, which creates a requirement for geriatric nursing homes and home-based healthcare — an area that Pakistan severely lacks in right now. The demand for gerontologists and geriatric nurses will be higher and institutions that train future medical staff will need to incorporate a greater survey of gerontology in their curriculae. There is time to prepare for the doubling of Pakistan’s elderly population if health departments direct their attention towards the issue now.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 5^th, 2016.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.