Himachal boasts of 'healthy' elderly population

SHIMLA: Rooted to its traditions, Himachal Pradesh still values its elders. This was reflected in a report on ageing presented by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) during a seminar in Shimla on Friday.

Himachal Pradesh is among the top five states of India having high life expectancy rate, where population of elderly (aged 60 or above) has grown rapidly. The other states include Kerala, Goa, Tamil Nadu and Punjab. According to UNFPA sample survey (2011) report, in Himachal Pradesh, Hamirpur district has maximum elderly population followed by Bilaspur, Kangra and Una, while lowest proportion of elderly people is in Solan and Sirmaur districts. The report states that in Himachal Pradesh life expectancy at birth is 70.5 years and at the age of 60 men are expected to live another 18 years while women can live another 20.8 years, hence elderly women outnumber elderly men. The state has 1,062 elderly women per 1,000 elderly men. The report states that Himachal has 7 lakh persons aged 60 and above, which is much higher than the national average and by 2026 it would increase to 10.1 lakh, which is expected to be 15% of the total population.

UNFPA India deputy representative Toshihiro Tanaka said that In Himachal 90% of the elderly are not neglected, but with increase in population of elderly they need a good support system, which includes health facilities, benefits, schemes, insurance and new policies "Many people shift to urban areas leaving there parents alone, mostly in rural areas, who would disappear one day as they have no younger ones with them to take care of them," he added.

HP chief parliamentary secretary Nand Lal said that the elderly constitute 15% of total voters in Himachal. "In these times when joint family system is breaking and the elderly are being forced to live alone and aloof, Himachal Pradesh has shown hope as it has excelled in the fields of education and healthcare," he added.

Chief minister Virbhadra Singh said that Himachal was the first state in the country to introduce 'Parents Maintenance Act', which was followed by other states later. "We have also launched 'Mukhyamantri state health scheme to improve the quality of life and health of elderly and there are pension schemes for persons aged more than 80 years, which can also be offered to persons who are less than 80 years if they need it. If required, we are also ready to provide land for the benefit to elderly people," he added.

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