The Centre has approved the National Programme for Health Care of Elderly (NPHCE) to improve health services for the elderly and will roll out the scheme from next year. The programme is designed to be preventative, curative, and rehabilitative for the elderly.

The project envisages setting up of Geriatric Department at the eight Regional Geriatric Centres, setting up of Geriatric unit at 100 district hospitals in 21 States, rehabilitation units at CHCs, weekly geriatric clinic at PHCs and supportive devices/equipments at the Sub-Centres, and development of specialised manpower under the scheme.

Funds for 21 States and eight Regional Geriatric Centres have been sanctioned. So far, funds have been released to three Regional Geriatric Centres and one State, on receipt of bank account details and signing of MoU, sources said.

Under the programme, district hospitals will create 10-bed geriatric wards, while eight regional centres are set to be equipped with 30-bed geriatric centres. In addition, healthcare workers in sub-centres will be trained to make home visits, placing significant focus on bedridden seniors. The healthcare staff will also train families to manage the health of their loved ones and facilitate in the delivery of supportive devices.

The NPHCE was created in response to India’s ageing population trends and concerns that healthcare systems may not adequately meet the needs of its elder citizens. It would address various health-related problems affecting seniors.

According to a recently ministry note, a majority (80 per cent) of the senior population is living in rural areas of the country and that almost a third of those seniors are living below the poverty line.