The Coalition of Societies for the Rights of Older Persons in Nigeria (COSROPIN) urged the Federal Government to fast track the implementation of its healthcare packages for older persons in the country.
Sen. Eze Ajoku, the President of the coalition, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
Ajoku spoke as a reaction to the Ministry of Health’s response to healthcare for the aged with focus on Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM).
The COSROPIN boss expressed concern over the neglect of older persons by government in spite of plethora of programmes and packages.
“On the response to healthcare of older persons, COSROPIN is concerned seriously with the healthcare and services to older persons.
“Today we do not see much practical attention of government to the healthcare of its senior citizens. We have been hearing of government’s programmes but have seen no action on the ground,” he said.
Ajoku explained that they had hoped from the 2016 World Health Organisation (WHO), developed global strategy and Action Plan on Ageing and Health which Nigeria bought into.
“With the establishment of Healthcare Package Improving Quality Care on Ageing Population in Nigeria (HEPIQ-C), would have led to functional Health Programmes for Nigeria’s older persons.
According to him, “what we see today with COVID-19 amongst older persons is the result of cumulative lack of healthcare and the neglect of older persons’ health issues”.
Ajoku, who commended the Ministry of Health for this webinar on the Nigerian Response to Healthcare of the Aged, reiterated calls to fast track the already planned actions and the presidential directive on healthy ageing.
He however regretted the inability of the federal government to redeem its pledges on improving healthcare for the older persons in Nigeria.
“We recall that in October 2018, COSROPIN had its first national conference on Ageing in Abuja, highlighting the issues and neglect of the older persons.
“We were glad when the Ministry of Health in December the same year 2018 followed up with its launch of a Policy Framework on Healthy Ageing at its first National Summit on Healthy Ageing in Nigeria.
“We were also told by the Chairman of this Webinar, the Honourable Minister of State, and Distinguished Senator Dr Adeleke Olorunnimbe Mamora, who was the Guest of Honour at the COSROPIN’s 2019 National Conference on Ageing.
“He promised that six Regional Geriatric Centres will be established in tertiary hospitals in Nigeria with a view to improving the healthcare status of older persons in Nigeria
“Its programme: ‘Healthcare Package for Improving Quality Care on Ageing Population in Nigeria (HEPIQ-C)’, was working to address the social and health needs of the elderly in the country,” he said.
Ajoku expressed optimism that the coalition looked forward to the assurances and promises, saying that it is an opportunity to engage with the ministry for update.
“We also recall that in January 2017 the President kicked off a scheme to revitalise over 10,000 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the country during the ceremony of the renovation of the Kuchigoro Model PHC in Abuja.
“The policy framework was to support the achievements of Universal Health Care coverage through creating a non-contributory health insurance scheme.
“Based on its framework, the Health Bill was approved by the President who assured Nigerians that his administration is committed to improving the care of the vulnerable-women, children and older persons.
“The President’s approval of one per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) to deliver healthcare to the vulnerable gave COSROPIN great hope and relief that the older persons would soon be provided medical health insurance.
“Our understanding was that 50 per cent of this fund was to be given to the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to procure health services and insurance for the vulnerable groups.
“By now, all Nigerians over 70 years are supposed to be on National Health Insurance,” Ajoku added.
The COSROPIN leader expressed worry over the non-implementation of the policies, demanding answers to what had happened to the presidential initiative.
“However, we are glad to note that on the 9th of March this year, before the pandemic, the Honourable Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, at the University of Benin launch the Elder Friendly Hospital Initiative.
“The minister assured Nigerians that the ministry will ensure the implementation of the President’s healthcare sector Agenda.
“He said they were currently reviewing the operational manual of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), to accommodate the provisions of the affordable health insurance through the National Health Insurance Scheme gateway,
“Where all senior citizens from 70 years of age and beyond are covered in the scheme for the rest of their lives.
“The Ministry also expressed commitment that they are working with the National Pension Commission, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) and National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
“To ensure that formal sector retirees retain the benefits of their NHIS up to 70 years before switching over to the National Non-Contributory Health Insurance Scheme,” he said.
The COSROPIN President assured of the coalition’s support to government’s effort to include traditional and alternative therapies in the care of the elderly.
Ajoku recalled that the role of traditional complementary and alternative medicine in Nigeria could not be over emphasised.
“Those of us born in the 40’s know only about Traditional Complementary and Alternative therapies. They offered treatment for all ailments and are still effective in our rural areas.
“We know that the foundation and source of modern pharmaceutical drugs are from our herbs, roots, stems and fruits.
“The white men not wanting to accept the efficacy of our traditional therapies as they were, encapsulated them to offer them back to us claiming them to be superior to what we have,” he added.
Ajoku therefore urged the ministry of health to rise up to the occasion by quickly recognising the contribution of traditional and alternative medicine in its total health package for Nigerians, especially the elderly in the present COVID-19 pandemic.
“Let me say that in our opinion however, that the ministry is too slow in recognising the contribution of TCAM in its total health package for Nigerians especially during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
“Efforts of TCAM are unduly delayed. We understand that the ministry is screening over 19 local firms for the production of herbal drugs that can possibly treat COVID-19.
“Many people who have been treated successfully have testified of applying one form of complementary or alternative medicine or the other.
“We need to speed up actions as the giant of Africa and toe the examples of Madagascar with their organic therapy, and Philippines where Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) is going through a clinical trial following the confirmation by their Department of Science and Technology.
“However, COSROPIN’s position is that whilst natural medicine in the form of vitamins, minerals and herbs and other nutrients can help enhance immunity, such measures should not replace social distancing, washing of hands, quarantining when necessary or other recommendations from NCDC related to the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 infection,” he said.
Ajoku emphasised the imperatives of national health insurance to prevent further deterioration in the health of the older persons aimed at withstanding COVID infections.
“We also understand that 45 per cent of the fund was to go to the National Primary Health Care Development, for training of healthcare workforce and procurement of consumables for day to day activities of the Primary Healthcare Centres.
“This is to ensure improved services to older persons in rural areas. We are concerned that these actions in the interest of care for the rural older persons have not taken place.
“We need the NPDC to put these in place to ensure the success of the National free Healthcare insurance whenever it is implemented this year,” Ajoku added. (NAN)
