Task force to be formed to ensure better health care to senior citizens: Nasir
By Hina Kiyani

ISLAMABAD—Minister for Health Muhammad Nasir Khan on Monday said the ministry will set up a special task force to ensure the provision of better health facilities to the senior citizens of the country.
Addressing the annual General meeting of Association for the welfare of retired persons, the minister said the task force will also resolve the health related problems of the retired persons.
He said the ministry of Health is already working hard to facilitate better health care for the retired persons. He added a focal point on the health of senior citizens has been created in the ministry. The minister said all health establishments in the country have been directed to make special arrangements to provide better medical services to the senior citizens. He said these establishments have also been directed for allocating more beds for the senior citizens, arranging special registration and drugs windows besides creating comfortable waiting areas for them. He said many hospitals have already made such arrangements particularly in federal government hospitals while the ministry has directed provincial governments to make such arrangements at district and tehsil level hospitals.
Nasir Khan said there is need to mobilize support of politicians, legislatures, policy and decision makers, media, voluntary agencies and the private sector for health programs benefitting senior citizens.
He said there is also need to accelerate the process of demand creation through sensitization activities of influential groups like artists, writers, intellectuals, lawyers and human rights groups etc. about their roles and responsibilities in promoting the need for better health care of senior citizens. He said they have the right for protection and care particularly health care is needed most by this group. The minister said there is need to create awareness among the masses about the needs and problems of senior citizens and to win their support and seek their participation in the endeavors to meet those needs. He said steps are being taken to promote the survival, protection and development issues relating health care of elderly on media and to motivate media to develop new programs for the health care of elderly.