KAMPALA — Sironko Woman Member of Parliament Asha Mafabi has urged the government to strengthen healthcare and social protection services for older persons, warning that Uganda’s health system is not adequately prepared to meet the needs of the country’s ageing population.
Hon. Mafabi made the call while tabling a motion in Parliament seeking government intervention to improve access to geriatric healthcare and strengthen support systems for older persons.
She proposed the establishment of a health insurance scheme specifically targeting older persons to enable them to access essential medicines, diagnostic services and treatment for age-related and chronic conditions at an affordable cost or free of charge.
According to Ms Mafabi, Uganda has more than 1.4 million people aged 60 years and above, a population she said faces a disproportionate burden of non-communicable diseases and other conditions associated with ageing.
She said many public health facilities lack dedicated geriatric units, healthcare workers trained in geriatric medicine and infrastructure capable of providing age-friendly services.
“The growing number of older persons requires deliberate government policies and investment to ensure that they receive appropriate healthcare and social protection,” Ms Mafabi said.
She said a health insurance scheme for older persons would help reduce the financial burden on elderly people and their families, particularly those requiring regular medication, diagnostic tests and long-term treatment.
Hon. Mafabi also called for the expansion of geriatric services in public health facilities and the training and deployment of healthcare workers with specialised skills in caring for older persons.
Beyond healthcare, she urged the government to strengthen social protection programmes for older persons to enable them to live with dignity and access essential services.
The motion comes amid concerns over the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases and chronic conditions among Uganda’s ageing population.
Hon. Mafabi said addressing the healthcare and welfare needs of older persons should be treated as a national priority as the country undergoes demographic changes.
She called for greater coordination among government agencies to ensure that older persons are adequately catered for in national healthcare and social protection programmes.
She said the proposed interventions would improve the quality of life of older persons while easing the financial and caregiving burden on families supporting elderly relatives.