Senior citizens are our social capital : Dr Tanwar

Himachal Gyan Vigyan Samiti in collaboration with Jan Swasthya Abhiyan Himachal Unit organized Senior Citizens Day. In this, workers associated with Himachal Gyan Vigyan Samiti and Jan Swasthya Abhiyan, including retirees from various departments and senior citizens associated with various professions participated. The event was presided over by Dr. P.C., Professor and Head of the Department of Cardiology, IGMC Shimla. Negi did it. Addressing the senior citizens, Dr. Negi said that Senior Citizens Day provides an opportunity to recognize their contribution to society, identify the issues affecting their lives, and know their needs. Dr. Negi said that with increasing age, health-related problems of a person also increase. They need every kind of support – financial, social and emotional. In many serious diseases, they have to remain on medicines for the rest of their life. However, it is also seen that many elderly people are not able to take medicines full-time due to financial constraints. Let’s leave it midway. It is also seen that the elderly come to the hospital without anyone’s help, there is no one to accompany them.

Dr. Negi stressed making such a policy so that free medicines can be made available to the weaker and poorer sections. He also emphasized on the decentralization of health services.

He said that there should be such a system that the elderly should get services only in primary health centers. For this, technology should be used. He said that a separate day in the month should be fixed for senior citizens in hospitals for check-ups.

On the other hand, Dr. Kuldeep Singh Tanwar, founder president of Himachal Gyan Vigyan Samiti, said that the committee has always been in favor of the fact that at least in the highest health institute of the state, there should be a separate department for senior citizens. He said that the committee would soon submit a memorandum to the government in this regard demanding the same.

Satyawan Pundir, convener of the Himachal unit of Jan Swasthya Abhiyan, said that Himachal Gyan Vigyan Samiti and Jan Swasthya Abhiyan will soon start a public health clinic in the state office.

The committee also constituted a five-member Senior Citizens Forum sub-committee on this occasion. In which Ms. Sumitra Chandel was appointed as the coordinator, Jagdeep Panwar, Govind Chatranta, R.S. Thakur, and P.L. Negi was made a member.