A nation of the youth and the elderly too

Ayon Debnath
Published : 9 May 2016, 05:31 AM
Updated : 9 May 2016, 05:31 AM

Bangladesh is regarded as a nation of young population. In the recently published Asian Pacific Human Development Report of United Nations Development Program (UNDP) titled "Shaping the Future: How Changing Demographics Can Power Human Development", it has been found that 49% population of the country are of 24 years of age or below. The report also shows that 66% of the population of Bangladesh are the workable force (aged between 15 to 64 years) and this percentage is likely to reach about 70% by 2030 and 67% in 2050. The availability of such a high percentage of young population in Bangladesh is undeniably a positive scenario. However, sometimes it is very difficult to describe the real picture of something through percentages. For instance, at present the percentage of elderly people in Bangladesh accounts for about 7% of the entire population of the country, relatively a small portion. But if we consider this percentage in terms of absolute numbers, we will see that this represents about 10 million people, more than the total population of many countries of the world. In the UNDP report that I have already pointed out above, it has been predicted that the percentage of elderly population in Bangladesh is going to rise to 22 percent of the country's population by 2050. This means Bangladesh is going to accommodate a great number of elderly people in the upcoming decades.

Bangladesh is presently one of the top countries in the world in terms of absolute number of old-age people. Further, this number is likely to see a four-time increase by 2050. In such a situation, it is necessary that relevant initiatives are adopted at all levels to address the elderly population oriented challenges. Recently, I have worked with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of Bangladesh on a project titled 'Promoting Healthy Lifestyle of the Elderly People". As part of the project activities, workshops and advocacy meetings have been conducted across the country with the participation of civil surgeons, upazila health officers, community members and senior citizens. The most interesting finding that we got from the project is that people do not have sufficient knowledge about the definition of elderly population. Similarly, at the policy making level there is debate over the threshold for determining the age for senior citizens. However, usually a person at the age of 60 enters into the group of elderly population in Bangladesh. It implies that the age limit of the elderly population is associated with the age of retirement from the services.

We often emphasize on the young for their role in the development of the country. But we must not forget that elderly people also have the potential to play a significant role in the development process through their experience, advice and expertise. We must not also forget that the elderly population is the asset for a country, just like the youth. The knowledge as well as experience a senior citizen earns in his/her lifetime has multiple implications to society.

In the recent decades Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in improving the health status of its people. Population growth has declined, infant and under-five mortality rates and maternal mortality ratio have decreased and importantly, life expectancy rate has increased to a great extent. However, this success of the health sector is also inviting a challenge that demands a multi-sectoral approach. With the increase in age a person usually faces a number of physical, psychological and socio-economic issues. Moreover, due to the increase of life expectancy Bangladesh has already been experiencing a marked rise of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). According to the WHO report, at present more than half of hospital deaths of the country are due to NCDs. Apart from the health-related complications, old age problems also encompass socio-economic aspects. Because of the lack of social values, a senior citizen starts feeling worthless. As, in most cases, he/she remains no longer involved in income generating process, his/her value in the family decreases and he/she becomes dependent upon others. While conducting the research in various parts of the country, it has been found that elderly population of the country does not receive proper care from the family, the society or the state. Therefore, the involvement of a senior citizen in the development process of the country is truly limited.

The Government of Bangladesh has taken many initiatives to improve health services to people of the country but unfortunately no special consideration has been given to the elderly. Though the Ministry of Social Welfare has initiated the old-age allowance programme, this is surely not enough to address the multiple challenges facing an old-age person. Since problem associated with elderly population is a cross-cutting issue, it requires the involvement of other relevant ministries along with the Health Ministry and the Ministry of Social Welfare. Elderly health has been considered a priority task in many countries of the world including Japan, Germany and even India. But unfortunately in our country no specific approach of the state is focused on the elderly. The government of India has undertaken many initiatives such as seat reservation in public transport, priority health care opportunity in the hospitals and many other social schemes for the senior citizens. But in our country no such policies exist.

In order to attain comprehensive success, it is now time for Bangladesh to address these old-age problems. Otherwise, the successes of the country, especially in the health sector, will not be sustainable. A holistic approach must be taken involving all the relevant ministries and a detailed work plan should be adopted through formulating an 'Old-age Policy'. The huge number of old people of the country must be involved with the activity of the state. Seat reservation in public transports and separate booth in hospitals should be launched. Most importantly, public awareness should be raised about their due role to the senior citizens. All these will help make the senior citizens feel that they are not a burden to society. And they still can play an important role in society through their experience and knowledge.

Not much earlier, it was assumed that women are not development partners. But now we have realized that women have the same potential as men to play a role in the development process. Similarly, perhaps today we do not feel that old-age people are development partners. But, one day we will be able to feel their true potential if necessary policies and initiatives are taken at the government level. Only then our society will benefit from the knowledge, experience and expertise of the elderly. And a comprehensive development for Bangladesh will be ensured.