Tunisia complies with its international commitments and pledges to implement its national elderly protection policies, said the Ministry of Women, Family, Children and the Elderly. This is possible through a specific social policy aimed to protect seniors from marginalisation and fragilities and safeguard their eight to an active ageing in a caring and friendly environment, the ministry said in a press release in observance of the International Day of Older Persons. The number of older people in Tunisia exceeds presently 1.600 million, that is 14% of the population. The rate could rise as much as 17% by 2029. This state of affairs calls for new visions by means of devising effective social and health policies and upgrading services provided to the elderly in care centres. The ministry shed light on the various mechanisms set up to increase protection for senior citizens, particularly through the launch of a freephone number to receive relevant reports and the implementation of an adult foster care programme. This in addition to increasing the number of mobile geriatric teams to provide outreach services, in partnership with civil society organisations. The ministry is also endeavouring to improve the services provided by public elderly care centres, a total of thirteen including four under reconstruction and renovation in Kasserine, Kairouan, Jendouba and Sfax. The number of elderly residents in public care centres stands presently at 378 (243 men and 135 women). Their number in private centres, twenty five, is estimated at 313 (152 men and 161 women). Specific programmes are under development, the ministey said. Efforts are centered around strengthening the legal framework of care centres, fine-tuning the draft code on the rights of the elderly, the initiation of the formulation of the executive plan of the national multi-sector strategy for senior citizens (2022-2030) and the implementation of proposals contained in a study conducted by the ministry in collaboration with the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) on the reality of public and private elderly care centres. The international community marks on October 1 each year the International Day of Older Persons. The 2023 Theme:is;" Fulfilling the Promises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for Older Persons: Across Generations."

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse