Yogyakarta, Indonesia: Health Ministers from 11 South-East Asian countries today adopted the Yogyakarta Declaration on ‘Ageing and Health’, committing to improving national response to the health of ageing populations. The Health Ministers met to review key health issues in WHO’s South-East Asia Region and provide policy direction for future action.
The Ministers also focused on the implementation of International Health Regulations (IHR 2005). “Strengthening core capacities for implementation of the International Health Regulations continues to present a challenge in many areas including legislation. Capacities in chemical and radiological safety is a priority for many countries” said Dr Samlee Plianbangchang, WHO’s Regional Director for South-East Asia. All 11 countries of the Region are expected to request an extension for achieving the required core capacities for IHR.
The Yogyakarta Declaration comes at an important juncture in history as 142 million people - 8% of the population of the Region - are above the age of 60 years, and by 2025, the estimated proportion of the population over 60 years will be twice that of 2000 and that by 2050, will have further increased to three times the proportion of 2000.
“WHO follows a life-course approach to promoting healthy, active ageing. People who get the right start in life, follow healthy lifestyles and take good care of their health can expect to remain active during their eighth, ninth and even tenth decade of life“ said Dr. Margaret Chan, WHO Director General.
By adopting the Yogyakarta Declaration on Ageing and Health, the Health Ministers acknowledged that healthy ageing is a major public health challenge, as older people, particularly women, increasingly face chronic diseases and disabilities.
The Declaration underscores concern that the economic effects of ageing will impact health care and social support systems and would require the attention of policy and decision makers, NGOs and the private sector. The Ministers recognized that healthy ageing should optimize opportunities for the physical, social and mental health of older persons to enable them to take an active part in society and to enjoy an independent life without discrimination. However, while it would need national programmes to promote these issues, at present, the concept of healthy ageing is yet to be adequately recognized in many Member countries.
The Ministers committed to a coherent, comprehensive and integrated approach to promote healthy ageing and to:
1. Develop and strengthen national policy for healthy ageing and to formulate multisectoral national alliances for promoting healthy ageing.
2. Ensure provision of sufficient resources for programmes dealing with ageing and health taking into consideration the economic aspects of long-term care of the very old, both at the facility and household levels.
3. Strengthen the primary health care system to address the health needs of the elderly population including the in-service training of health professionals for the care of elderly persons.
4. Support the creation of dedicated cadres of health and social support caregivers within the existing health and social support systems.
From 4 to 7 September, delegations from the 11 South-East Asia Region Member States will be meeting for the Sixty-fifth session of the WHO Regional Committee which is WHO’s governing body in the Region. WHO Director-General, Dr Margaret Chan, and Regional Director for the South-East Asia Region, Dr Samlee Plianbangchang, will be present at the meetings.
The WHO Regional Committee will discuss several important health issues such as noncommunicable diseases including mental health and neurological disorders; the role of WHO in managing emergencies; health workforce training and education; Pandemic Influenza Preparedness; and challenges in polio eradication.
What: i) 30th Meeting of Ministers of Health of Countries of the South-East Asia Region
ii) 65th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia
When: 4 - 7 September 2012
Where: Hotel Royal Amburrukmo, Yogyakarta, Indonesia