From now on, senior citizens won’t have to wait in a queue to access health services in any of the health centres across the country. This becomes possible with the launch of ‘health service packages for elderly people’ by the health ministry on Friday, coinciding with the International Day for Older Persons.
The health service package includes priority signage, a health and wellbeing handbook, and observing October as the month for elderly citizens. Health Minister Dechen Wangmo launched the package.
The minister said that irrespective of the type of health centres, ‘priority signage’ will provide elderly people exclusive access to health services and facilities. “They won’t have to wait in queue anymore,” Lyonpo said.
Likewise, the second component of the package – the health and wellbeing handbook – will encourage doctors and health personnel to provide comprehensive health services to the owner of the book.
“With the launch of October month as the month for the elderly, this component of the package will provide every elderly with comprehensive health screenings and services, irrespective of whether they are sick or not,” the minister added.
Some elderlies who spoke to BBS said that they are grateful to his Majesty The King and the health ministry for providing them with convenient health care services with special care.
“We, the senior citizens are ever grateful to His Majesty The King and health ministry for making our life comfortable,” said Lungtenmo, a resident of Thimphu who attended the launch.
Besides regular health conditions, they will be also provided with an assessment of mental health conditions. This is in line with increasing cases of mental health disorders among old people.
As part of the launch, the ministry also screened more than 50 elderlies for different health conditions.
So far, the health ministry has registered about 43,000 elderly people who are 65 years and above in the country. 15,000 have been found to have underlying health conditions such as blood pressure, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases among others.
Meanwhile, the installation of signage in health centres across the country is expected to be complete by the end of this month.
Sonam Tenzin
Edited by Chayku
