Reviewing India’s Public Policy on Health Care Services for Alleviating Geriatric Problems

Population ageing is an outcome of triumph in the context of the advancement of medical science. But the massive increase in the elderly population in every part of the world is posing serious challenge in terms of providing the target group a happy and healthy life during their old age days. Considering the acute and chronic morbidity that the ageing citizens often encounter with and the resulting gargantuan burden of health cost, the institutional support from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare holds the key in addressing various health care needs of the elderly. One such policy action has been the “National Programme for the Health Care of Elderly (NPHCE)” which was initiated in 2010 during the Eleventh Plan Period. The basic intention of the programme has been to facilitate the senior citizens with exclusive yet specialized and comprehensive health care at various hierarchical levels. The policy action and monitoring is to begin from the top at the tertiary level and act as bridge between the Ministry at the centre and down below through the state and district providers. Though the PHCs, CHCs and Sub-centres operate at the ground level, awareness and involvement of the family members are no less important for enhancing the quality of life of the elderly. The Non-Governmental Organizations are also to join hands with different wings of central and state ministry for effective implementation of the programme through activities like – spread of IEC materials, sensitizing the family members and health personnel.