As part international Day of Older Persons celebration, the Social Solidarity Ministry celebrated the graduation of the 1st batch of the ''Rafik of Elderly'' Project. The event was attended by program managers and partner associations.
The event witnessed the signing of cooperation protocol between the Social Solidarity Ministry and Mustafa Mahmoud association in order to provide medical care services for the older people’s homes in the 22 governorates in the framework of cooperation with civil society institutions.
Social Solidarity Minister Dr. Ghada Wali
Meanwhile, the Social Solidarity Minister Dr. Ghada Wali, welcomed the partner association and its partnership in more than one service and development program, she reported that October, witnesses the International Day for Elderly, which was chosen by the world countries and the United Nations to review the service packages for the elderly.
She added that the ministry is followed by 1,181 elderly homes with more than 3,500 inmates, but that other numbers within their families need to be cared for due to different circumstances.
The ''Rafik of older person'' Program is an activation of the cooperation protocol between the Social Solidarity ministry, the National Institute of Aging Science, Beni Suef University and a number of NGOs.
As part of event
It aims to improve the quality of services provided to the elderly in Egypt by providing care for the elderly who are unable to care for themselves and achieve their basic needs within his family.
Later, the ministry received the application for the 2nd batch of training in governorates of Cairo - Giza - Qalyubia - Alexandria, in the framework of ‘‘Rafik elderly project''. The project accepts trainees of both sexes from the age of 18-45 with a minimum qualification as well as a statement of the position recruitment.
On other hand, between 2017 and 2030, the number of persons aged 60 and above is projected to grow by 46%. This is expected since Old Dependency Ratio has risen to 142 in 2011 from 131 in 2001.
Additionally, the population in the age group 20-59 currently taken is almost half of the current population would swell the number of the aged next year.
cooperation protocol
This may lead to a scenario where old people outnumber youth as well as children of under age of 10. More alarmingly, this increase will be the greatest and most rapid in the developing world; India belongs to this group. Therefore, population ageing and their welfare is poised to become one of the most significant social transformations of the 21st century.
Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry, as the nodal ministry for the cause of senior citizens, has been celebrating the occasion since 2005 by conferring Vayoshreshtha Sammans to eminent Senior Citizens and Institutions in recognition for their service towards the elderly persons, especially indigent senior citizens.
In 2013, the Vayoshreshtha Sammans have been upgraded as a “National Award” vide Gazette Notification No. 15-39(30)/2009-10/AG-II dated 18-01-2013 to showcase the Government’s concern for senior citizens and its commitment towards senior citizens with the aim of strengthening their legitimate place in the society.
This will also provide an opportunity to the younger generations to understand the contribution of the elderly in building of the society and the nation.
Noteworthy, International Day of Older Persons is a special day for the senior citizens all over the world. On December 14, 1990, the UN General Assembly made October 1, as the International Day of Older Persons.
The International Day of Older Persons was observed for the first time on October 1, 1991; the day is celebrated annually to recognize the contributions of older persons and to examine issues that affect their lives. This day provides an opportunity to acknowledge the contribution, wisdom, dignity and needs of senior citizens and to rededicate our efforts to ensure their well-being.
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