Older persons want preferential treatment at health centres
Apr 22, 2016
They also want special sitting arrangements at clinics to be made in such a way that older persons can easily be spotted and attended to so as to avoid long waiting while standing in long lines.
Just like expectant mothers have particular days for antenatal care, older persons have asked government to establish specialized clinics at health center IV, 111, and 11s which should be held periodically on selected days of the week to have their health concerns given ample attention.
They also want special sitting arrangements at clinics to be made in such a way that older persons can easily be spotted and attended to so as to avoid long waiting while standing in long lines.
According to the United Nations provisions, an older person is considered to be any one aged 60 years and above.
They made the request during a meeting with the minister of Health, Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye held at the Ministry's Headquarters in Kampala on Thursday.
The Chairperson for the elderly in Mukona District, Claudia Kamya reads out the petition to the minister of health, Elioda Tumwesigye .
Dr. Tumwesigye said most of the tissues and cells of older persons are in the stages of wear and tear, their bones have become degenerated, their organs have begun failing and are prone to more diseases, therefore should be given priority when they go to health center for treatment.
"This is a call to all health workers at all levels, when older persons come to these health facilities, do not allow them to line up with energetic people. Give them priority, put up separate lines for them and attend to them first," said Tumwesigye.
In relation to specialized clinics, Tumwesigye directed the Commissioner, Clinical Services, Ministry of Health, Dr. Jacinto Amandua to effect specific days at all health centers for attending to older persons.
Tumwesigye further noted that the ministry has plans underway to have medicines of old persons' diseases taken to health center IVs, 111s, and 11s and also have equipment for testing and diagnosing diseases like blood pressure, sugar and cancers at all health centres.
He however, advised the older persons to always go for screening and testing for various diseases since they are prone to catching many diseases at their ages.
The meeting was organized by HelpAge International in collaboration with Ministry of Labour, Gender and Social Development (MLGSD) and National Network for Older Persons in Uganda (NNOPU).
Prior to the meeting, they had a matching procession from Wandegeya Mosque to the ministry's headquarters in commemoration of the World Health Day.
Christopher Kikoyo, 83, resident of Kasawo-Mukono district said in most health centres, older persons are left to stand for long hours in long queues, yet most of them have complicated illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, swelling of the joints and standing for long could lead to collapsing.
John Charles Orach, chairperson, NNOPU, said some health workers do not know how to treat older persons, they shout at them.
Orach said currently, there're no health workers trained in Geriatrics.
Geriatrics should be included in the training curriculum of all health workers.
This will enable them to understand the older persons and handle them with friendly attitudes when they are ill.
In the statement by the older persons read by Claudia Kamya, 69, chairperson of Happy lives of elderly organization in Mukono, they asked government that the budget for all types of medicines and related supplies in all health units be increased especially medicines for non-communicable diseases.
They also asked that diagnostic equipment such as glucometers and pressure machines should be available in all clinics, including health centres IV, 111 and 11.
The elderly marching to the ministry of health to present their petition
The International Diabetes Federation cited the incidence of diabetes in Uganda at 50,000 persons in the year 2003 and projects a tenfold increase in the case of diabetes mellitus by the year 2025 if no interventions are initiated.
It is estimated that for every 10,000 deaths of men in Uganda in 2010, 1,094 were attributed to non-communicable diseases (MOH2011) of which 52% were due to diabetes and heart diseases.
In the same research, it is also stated that for every 100,000 deaths of women, 685 were related to NCDs of which 56% were due to diabetes and heart diseases.
The elderly marching to the ministry of health to present their petition