Staff Reporter
THE Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr. Ester Muinjangue, has called upon stakeholders to engage in efforts aimed at addressing poverty, discrimination, exclusion, neglect, and abuse faced by the elderly population in Namibia.
Muinjangue made this appeal during the recent groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Narraville Elderly Home in Walvis Bay, Erongo Region. She emphasized that this facility is envisioned to offer contemporary housing for elderly individuals in Walvis Bay, ensuring their dignified care as they age.
The deputy minister disclosed that the Narraville Elderly Home will be a state-of-the-art establishment tailored to the needs of the Walvis Bay community. The proposed development encompasses 58 units, a hall, a fully-equipped kitchen, and a medical centre that will also be fully equipped.
“It is my conviction that the Narraville Elderly Home Board of Trustees will provide an annual management report to all stakeholders, in order to gradually improve and sustain responsive service delivery to Narraville Elderly Home Residents,” Muinjangue continued.
Drawing on data from the World Health Organization (WHO), Muinjangue elaborated that approximately 5.8% of Namibia’s population is aged 60 and above, with less than 1% surpassing 80 years of age. This estimation, she said, underscores the necessity for additional old age homes across the country.
“You will agree with me that changes in traditional family structures and social safety networks increase the demand for more and more older persons to move into old age homes. A home where they will receive the necessary assistance and care, from meals, housekeeping, medical care, and recreational activities to maintain their quality of life. The purpose of an old age home is to provide a safe and secure haven for those with nowhere else to go and no one to support them,” Muinjangue added.
She further revealed that the Ministry of Health and Social Services is at an advanced stage in drafting a National Policy on the Rights, Protection, and Care of Older Persons in Namibia. This policy, she explained, values not only the health of older persons but also their inter-generational roles, wisdom, and contribution to the socio-economic, cultural, and religious lives of the people.
“Once the policy comes into force, I urge all stakeholders to assume your common and shared responsibility, not only to successfully implement the National Policy on the Rights, Protection, and Care of Older Persons in Namibia, but also to make their contribution towards addressing pockets of poverty, discrimination, exclusion, neglect, and abuse of older persons that occur in Namibian society from time to time,” Muinjangue added.
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