Connect with us

Health

Thai Health Ministries Develops Health Centers for Aging Society

Avatar of CTN News

Published

on

Elderly residents exercise at Wat Kae Nok Buddhist temple. Wat Kae Nok temple is among hundreds of Buddhist temples nationwide participating in the "Health Promotion Temple" project. The campaign was initiated in 2003 by the Public Health Ministry's Department of Health as part of the "Healthy Thailand" agenda, aimed at highlighting the importance of physical and mental well-being of the population. Credit: Vinai Dithajohn/OnAsia.com Contact: sales@onasia.com Legal Notice: Any use of this picture is subject to a license agreement entered into by the user and OnAsia Images Ltd. All other rights reserved. Any re-use and redistribution of this image is prohibited. For sales enquiries regarding any additional use of this or other pictures from OnAsia Images please contact sales@onasia.com

Elderly residents exercise at Buddhist temple

 

BANGKOK – Social Development and Human Security Minister Adul Saengsingkaew said Tuesday that the Thai government has come up with a strategy to set up health centers and give older people vocational opportunities.

Adul was speaking in an exclusive interview with Nation Multimedia Group’s editor in chief, Thepchai Yong, on NOW26’s “26th Hour” on Thursday.

Also present was Anusan Thienthong, chief of the newly established Department of Older Persons.

Adul said some 10 per cent of the population or 10 million people were over 60 now, and by 2020 this figure would go beyond 20 per cent, making Thailand an “aged society”, and “super aged” when the number rises to nearly 30 per cent by 2050.

The government’s latest strategy is to ensure that elderly people are of “good quality” as defined by good physical and mental health, as well as capable of working until the age of 65-70, he said. People in the fields of education, medicine, technology and craftsmanship are already working beyond retirement age, he added.

Asked if this was the time to consider extending the retirement age for state officials, Adul said it would be considered as “age is just a number”, citing recent research that people working beyond retirement actually live longer. He said an extended life span meant warmer family life, and those who maintained an active lifestyle and did charity work could live until the age of 80 to 90.

The minister confirmed that the government was giving this matter importance, adding that a steering committee led by Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Yuthawong had been assigned the task, while a national assembly had been put in place to gather opinions.

“We are focusing on local communities. We have 878 elderly care centers nationwide already and are trying to encourage communities to create their own care system. We will also provide training to 80,000 volunteers in the communities,” he said.

Adul said that when Thailand became a “super aged society”, it would have fewer workers, hence all parties must adjust, apply more technology and put in place health security.

“We have to take care of people’s health and living conditions, as well as boost work quality so they can continue working. Moreover, savings should be sufficient to ensure a comfortable retirement, as people will need to depend on themselves as much as they can.”

Last year, the Provincial Administrative Department reported that the number of elderly people had risen to about 14 per cent, while the birth rate had dropped to less than 1 per cent, Anusan told Asia One.

The key problems old people face are deteriorating health, income and social interaction, hence state agencies under the Interior, Public Health and Labour ministries had created strategies to ensure their income and extended work opportunities, he said.

Unlike Japan and Singapore, Thailand already has farmers and poor people doing odd jobs, hence providing everybody with a pension or social security is challenging, with many ending up living on state-granted allowances, Anusan added.

However, he said, the private sector would be encouraged to extend the retirement age from 55, while the public sector would offer incentives such as tax rebates for those taking care of their aged parents.

He also said older people should be offered life-long education, easy access to public transport, and opportunities to exchange knowledge and learn new skills. Those entering old age should be strong so they can become a force for Thai society and offer wisdom for it to move forward, he said.

Continue Reading

CTN News App

CTN News App

Recent News

BUY FC 24 COINS

compras monedas fc 24

Volunteering at Soi Dog

Find a Job

Jooble jobs

Free ibomma Movies