With the aged population in India estimated to rise from the current 103.8 million to 173.2 million by 2026, the Centre is putting together a policy framework to face the challenge it will pose in socio-economic and public health spheres.
“We are committed to doing everything we can to address the issues of the elderly. The Government will not only continue the ongoing programmes across the country for the elderly but will also ensure pension for all elderly,” said Thaawar Chand Gehlot, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment. He was addressing the inauguration of the two-day National Conference on ‘Elderly: Dignity, Health and Security’ organised by the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) in collaboration with the Population Research Centre (PRC).
“At present, close to 65 per cent of the population is below 40 years, and 20 years down, the percentage of the elderly is to going to double. The number of aged persons in India now is 103.8 million and it is projected to increase to 173.2 million by 2026,” he said.
Four Central Ministries — Social Justice and Empowerment, Rural Development, Panchayat Raj and Health and Family Welfare, along with representatives of State Governments and research bodies, will also deliberate upon and consider the findings of a seven-State study on the elderly done by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) before drafting the policy, said Gehlot.
The UNFPA study shows that although a significant proportion of the elderly were aware of social security schemes such as the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) and the Annapurna Scheme, the utilisation of all such measures was miniscule among the target group.
The study highlights that only 18 per cent of elderly belonging to poor households were beneficiaries of IGNOAPS, while only 3.5 per cent utilise the Annapurna Scheme. Also, only 25 per cent of all elderly widowed women use IGNWPS.
Similarly, the evidence related to issues of health and the overall well-being of the elderly reveals high levels of morbidity across a spectrum of ailments and impairments. This was further compounded by gender differentials in accessing healthcare and lack of awareness about health schemes and services, the study found.
“We will study the gaps and address issues which require attention,” said Sudhir Bhargava, secretary, MSJE. “We will be prepared to cope with the complex set of problems which will be faced by the 80-plus population which is set to increase in the coming years,” he said.
Bhargava said that the Government estimates the need for 10 million caregivers to address the needs of this population. “A massive training programme is in the making to create competent human resource to meet the need,” he said.