Minister wants AIDS plan to include elderly
Oct 08, 2009
THE elderly should be included in the HIV/AIDS programmes because many are still sexually active, the elderly and disability affairs state minister has said.
By Jeff Lule
THE elderly should be included in the HIV/AIDS programmes because many are still sexually active, the elderly and disability affairs state minister has said.
Addressing journalists at the Media Centre recently, Sulaiman Madada said: “I do not know why these programmes ignore old people. Many of them are still sexually active and need these services to protect themselves.â€
UN classifies older persons as those from the age of 60 and above. According to statistics, Uganda has over 1.5 million elderly persons.
Madada said the Government had come up with a policy for older persons to support and protect them.
He said the policy recognised their contributions and potential in the development process.
“Many of these people are still active which is important to the economic development of the country,†Madada added.
He said the ministry had also drawn up the Older Persons Bill to be passed in February next year.
The Bill will provide the procedures of electing the presentatives of older persons in 2011, he said.
“It will provide measures to curb discrimination, neglect and abuse of older persons.â€
Madada added that a council would be established to monitor the implementation of the policy.
THE elderly should be included in the HIV/AIDS programmes because many are still sexually active, the elderly and disability affairs state minister has said.
Addressing journalists at the Media Centre recently, Sulaiman Madada said: “I do not know why these programmes ignore old people. Many of them are still sexually active and need these services to protect themselves.â€
UN classifies older persons as those from the age of 60 and above. According to statistics, Uganda has over 1.5 million elderly persons.
Madada said the Government had come up with a policy for older persons to support and protect them.
He said the policy recognised their contributions and potential in the development process.
“Many of these people are still active which is important to the economic development of the country,†Madada added.
He said the ministry had also drawn up the Older Persons Bill to be passed in February next year.
The Bill will provide the procedures of electing the presentatives of older persons in 2011, he said.
“It will provide measures to curb discrimination, neglect and abuse of older persons.â€
Madada added that a council would be established to monitor the implementation of the policy.