Old age homes are shelters for the elderly people either run by government, private sector or NGOs. The kind of facilities offered by each old age home also varies to a great degree. Just like guesthouses and hotels, some cater to the needs of rich offering every possible service, while others are in bad shape. Those who can afford to send their parents or other elderly relatives to comfortable old age homes do so, while those who can’t afford usually send them to government or NGOs-run old age homes with meagre facilities. The reasons why the elderly have to leave the comfort of their homes also vary. For instance, some people don’t have time for their old parents or relatives. However, they can afford to send them to comfortable old age homes. Others can’t afford health-related expenses of their old parents, and therefore they are left with no option but to send them to old age homes run by government or NGOs. Some send their elderly parents to old age homes due to their incompatibility with their lifestyles.
Old age reminds me of a state of helplessness. There is a state of reduced mobility, vision (eyesight) and a general increase in health issues usually associated with old age. However, this helplessness can be decreased to a significant degree if the elderly are offered help and affection. On the other hand, this state of helplessness is increased if the elderly are left on their own without any help or affection of their loved ones. Pakistan is a country where the cultural and religious values dictate that that the elderly should remain an important part of the family and should be treated in the best possible manner. However, with the passage of time and the increase in the pace of life, it is becoming a common sight that the elderly people are being considered as burden and not treated well or sent to
old age homes.
In April 2016, the Sindh Provincial Assembly took the lead in passing a bill to cater to the needs of the elderly. The Sindh Senior Citizens’ Welfare Bill 2016 is a great step forward in providing senior citizens with facilities and concessions that a welfare state should offer. Under the law a council will be established headed by the minister of social welfare minister consisting of a retired judge, secretaries, two senior citizens from civil society and two members of NGOs. The council will listen to the complaints under the law. The council will also issue Azadi cards or welfare cards to senior citizens, making them eligible to avail the facilities given under the law. The facilities include 25 percent discount on transport fares, concessions at recreation centres, free funeral and burial services and free healthcare from government-owned medical institutions. The law also prescribes punishments for those who will deny services to senior citizens applicable under the law. Similarly, the family members of senior citizens abandoning them will also be punished.
This law is most definitely a great step forward in allowing senior citizens to have a fair share in the welfare promised by the government of Sindh. However, a number of questions are raised when it comes to the implementation of this law and dispensation of provisions promised under this law.
First of all, notices should be sent to all the concerned departments, places and institutions to enact new policies and procedures to comply with the law. For instance, hospitals, banks and other public institutions must have separate counters for senior citizens, especially those having Azadi or welfare cards with them. If a government-owned hospital can have a courtesy centre for retired and serving government servants then a similar provision can also be created for the senior citizens. In addition, senior citizens must have reserved parking spaces and other concessions at public places. Every institution that deals with senior citizens must clearly display the procedures in a user-friendly manner for the elderly so that they are aware of the facilities they are being offered. Similarly, special counters should be established at police stations to listen to the complaints of senior citizens, or such services should be offered to them at their residences. The council must also establish complaint centres at various locations so that they are accessible to the elderly.
The law is a welcome step for senior citizens of the province of Sindh, which constitute a significant part of the population. However, government must make sure that the gaps between the law and its implementation are reduced as much as possible and its application is extended to every corner of the province and must not be limited to senior citizens from major cities. It will only then the law will speak of the welfare oriented policies of the provincial government. Let us hope that the intentions behind the enactment of the law are translated into reality and truly serve the senior citizens of the province.
The writer is a development consultant. She tweets at @GulminaBilal and can be reached at [email protected]