NHRC seminar proposes actionable solutions for elderly care in India

New Delhi: The NHRC, in partnership with Sankala Foundation, hosted a seminar in New Delhi to address the challenges faced by India’s ageing population and explore global, regional, and national best practices for elderly care, with active participation from NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.

Focus on elderly care: A collaborative effort

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, and Sankala Foundation jointly organized a seminar titled “Ageing in India: Actionable Solutions” in New Delhi. With active support from NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, the day-long event brought together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss the health, nutrition, and social security needs of India’s elderly population.

Key discussions and recommendations

Healthcare and nutritio: Dr. VK Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, chaired the session addressing health and nutrition needs. He commended the NHRC’s efforts and emphasized the need for forward-thinking strategies to meet the demands of a growing elderly population.

Recommendations included:

Developing comprehensive health and nutrition packages.
Promoting home- and family-based care initiatives.
Establishing specialized services for elderly women.

Economic security and social inclusion: Amit Yadav, Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, chaired the session focusing on economic security, social inclusion, and quality of life.

Key proposals included:

Strengthening existing government schemes like the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 and Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY).
Enhancing health insurance coverage for elderly individuals.
Encouraging partnerships with private sectors to ensure affordable elderly care.

Participants advocate for collaborative action

The seminar featured distinguished speakers, including: Bharat Lal, Secretary General, NHRC, Monali P. Dhakate, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Dr. Manashvi Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare , Dr. Abha Jaiswal, Visiting Fellow, Sankala Foundation, CK Mishra, Former Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Sanjay Wadhwa, AIIMS, New Delhi, Prof. Rama Baru, JNU, Dr. Tanuja Nesari, Former Director, All India Institute of Ayurveda, Dr. K. Madan Gopal, NHSRC Advisor, Puneet Kumar, Social Justice Department, Kerala and Uma Devi, Social Justice Department, Tamil Nadu.

Representatives from WHO, UNFPA, TATA Trusts, Helpage India, and startups like Khyaal App and Samarth Elderly Care also contributed valuable insights.

Advancing solutions for elderly welfare

The seminar concluded with actionable solutions for elderly care, emphasizing:

Developing integrated healthcare services tailored for elderly needs.
Creating segregated databases for targeted interventions.
Ensuring active participation of elderly individuals in society.
Engaging local bodies and public-private partnerships to enhance care quality and affordability.

Building on past initiatives

This seminar followed the NHRC’s national conference on October 18, 2024, which highlighted challenges faced by the elderly. The current discussions aimed at formulating actionable solutions to address these issues comprehensively.

NHRC Secretary General Bharat Lal stressed the importance of collaboration among governments, NGOs, researchers, and civil society to ensure the dignity and well-being of India’s ageing population. He remarked, “The time has come to develop an action-oriented model, incorporating best practices for the overall welfare of the elderly in our country.”