According to the Senior Executive and head of operation Naidcare Nigeria Limited, James Utodio, there is need to give more attention to the welfare and health care of the elderly in Nigeria.
He made this known in Lagos during a Valentine get together for sixty years and above organized by Naidcare.
According to Mr. Utodio, celebrating love and care for the Senior citizens on Valentine’s Day was a way to create a warm and loving environment for them and make them feel appreciated and valued.
“With the present economy, most of the elderly persons are lonely because their children have gone out in search of their daily bread leaving them alone. They need to be brought together to mingle with their peers, dance and unwind,” he explained.
Mr. Utodio also reiterated the need for the government to prioritize the well-being of senior citizens and called for collective efforts from all major stakeholders, philanthropists, and civil society organizations to join hands in creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for the elderly population.
He highlighted the key initiatives being implemented to address the challenges faced by senior citizens in Nigeria by Naidcare calling for more collaborations from well meaning Nigerians.
“It is saddening to witness the deterioration of both physical and mental abilities of the elderly and that is why Naidcare is here to carry out both supportive and supervisory activities to help improve the quality of life of the aged ones. In Naidcare, we give home care and we implore government’s support on this to make a significant difference in the lives of the elderly,” he said.
The Naidcare boss also harped on the need for free medical treatment for the elderly to enable them have a sufficient pension.
“Everything boils down to health care, when you give them a free medical health care, their little pension will be sufficient for them. if the government can make a policy that helps the elderly to access free health care, it will go a long way. If you give them pension and still allow them to pay for their health care, they will be left with nothing,” he solicited.
On their part, the Senior citizens who could not hold their joy said they were happy to mingle with their peers.
According to them, we have not been cared for enough in the country calling on the government to increase their care for them.
“The care that has been given to us the elderly is not enough. I advocate for better care and attention. We are lonely and we need to socialize.
“Because of insecurities in the country, we rarely go out. Government should make the country more secured to enable us move freely.
“Thank you to Naidcare for bringing us out today, we had fun, danced, ate, networked and unwind.”
This year’s edition of 60 years and above get together organized by Naidcare Limited is the maiden edition with the theme: “Self Crush/Self-Care.”
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