We need to take care of our elders - Erongo governor

Erongo region governor Neville Andre has called on private and public organisations as well as the public at large to protect and look after older persons in Namibia."I am sure that during this workshop we will deliberate more on these issues and come up with the most relevant ones as we look at the most appropriate ways to look after our elderly," Andre said at the official opening of the national consultation on the national policy on the rights, protection, and care of older persons in Namibia, held in Swakopmund.Namibia drafted a policy that aims to protect the rights of older persons and ensure comprehensive health care while enhancing their quality of life.Protection and careThe draft policy informs the implementation of public health priorities for older persons, particularly for their physical health, reducing and addressing the risk of disability, and mental health, as well as setting priorities for the provision of social welfare services.The governor called for measures to improve areas where elders are subjected to immense suffering and struggle, such as standing in long queues."Both public and private spaces should offer the necessary services, such as chairs for our elderly, while they wait to be attended to. Those who cannot access an office should receive the required services either at their dwellings or in close proximity to the transport they make use of,""Our elders should equally not be sent from pillar to post just to access services. We need to look at a way for our elders to get assistants, especially those that are disabled and not in old age homes."Honour their historyHe further highlighted that the country&#039;s elders played a crucial role in the liberation of Namibia in various forms, some as Plan combatants, some as petitioners to the United Nations, and some as political prisoners."Apart from the liberation struggle, our elders also played important roles such as clergy, teachers, academics and sportsmen and women. They made us preserve our culture and heritage through storytelling and essential teachings. They are a bastion of knowledge and wisdom and, as such, they also need protection and care."

We need to take care of our elders - Erongo governor

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-01

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We need to take care of our elders - Erongo governor

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-01

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