10 million elderly in Thailand

Thailand’s number of elderly has reached 9.93 million (15%) in this year reports Thai News Agency (TNA). A recent study discovered that 5% of the elderly are healthy while the other 500,000 suffer from chronic diseases such as osteroarthiritis, hypertension and diabetes. 200,00 are incapable of self-care and 800,000 live alone. DrPornthepSorowanarangsun, the director general of the department of health said the Ministry of Public Health could ask other agencies such as the Minsity of Interior, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security as well as local organisations and communities to help the elderly folk to live happy and healthy lifestyles with their communities and families.

The health ministry aims to aid the elderly by equipping facilities to serve them better and improving buildings at hospitals to aid the elderly and guarantee their safety. Dr. Siriwanarangsun explains that the Department of Health would arrange for medical personal to co-operate in efforts with local volunteers and family members to take better care of the elderly. The Department of Health is also executing a pilot project to develop cities to be ‘elderly-friendly’ such as in Pattaya City of Chon Buri Province and Nonthaburi Municipality in Nonthaburi Province. This project is to be effected from 2014 to 2016 and will include the installation of facilities to provide for the elderly such as safety and convenience facilities to be available at hospitals, public areas and public transportation.

Source: Bangkok Post
Published: 01 Oct 2014

Category: Community, Top Story