Free Medicare For The Elderly Soon - Mills

Accra,(Greater Accra Region) 10 Oct. Vice-President John Evans Atta Mills said today that the scheme under which free medical care will be provided for the aged will take off soon. ''Guidelines have been prepared and distributed to the Regional health authorities for the implementation of the programme. ''Funds have also been distributed to the Regions and the scheme is ready to take off very soon,'' he said. Professor Mills was opening an international symposium on the Aged organized by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) in Accra. About 60 participants from across the continent are attending the one-day symposium under the theme: ''Social Protection For The Elderly.'' Prof. Mills said the scheme will, in the first instance, cover primary and secondary health delivery facilities such as health posts, clinics and district hospitals. He called for a comprehensive programme to sensitize the public and shape the appropriate attitudes towards the ageing problem which exists in almost all families in the country. Prof. Mills said the issue of the aged has become topical in Ghana because of the increasing number of retired people. ''....The older retired population is becoming increasingly more visible in the society. Between 1960 and 1970 the Ghanaian population aged 60 years and above increased by 8.2 per cent. From 1970 to 1984 the increase was 9.4 per cent. ''The ageing process creates a number of problems. There is a loss of income as a result of retirement from active work. This puts a constraint on the ability of the aged to provide their basic needs, especially when this age-group also has a higher incidence of health problems,'' Prof. Mills said. He said apart from financial constraints, the aged also face loneliness and isolation since the extended family system which used to take care of them seems to be breaking down. Mr Ejuba Ewane, Director of the Regional Office of the International Social Security Association (ISSA), said the Association is organizing and facilitating the exchange of experience among those responsible for the operation of social security schemes on the continent. He said social security has wider aims than the prevention of poverty adding that its fundamental purpose is to give individuals and families the confidence that their level of living and quality of life will not be eroded. ''The challenge today is to ensure that the public is well informed about why social security .... and who are expected to benefit from its programmes," Mr Ewane said.