New Delhi, 21 March 2006
A Health Awareness Week for the Elderly organized by the National Human rights Commission and HelpAge India got off to start in Delhi on 20 March 2006 with the Chairperson of the Commission, Dr. Justice A.S. Anand lamenting that major part of the recommendations of the elderly under National Policy for the Elderly yet to be implemented. Speaking at the inauguration, Justice A.S. Anand stated that healthcare has two aspects - preventive and curative. While the individual is well aware of the curative part, the preventive aspect to health care does not get sufficient attention. This could be due to ignorance and lack of awareness on the importance of preventive measures needed to be adopted especially in tackling non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension etc.
The inauguration also saw Dr. Srinath Reddy, Cardiologist, AIIMS who is also a member of NHRC's Core Group on Health highlighting the areas of health, which has engaged the attention of the Commission.
The weeklong initiative from 20 - 24 March 2006 is an attempt to address the crucial needs of the elderly that are not fully understood by them and their caregivers and to spread awareness of diseases that affect the elderly.
Doctors and Professors from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Maulana Azad Medical College, St. Stephen's Hospital and other reputed institutions will hold sessions on a number of subjects such as heart attacks and strokes, diabetes, vision impairment, arthritis and bone disorders, diseases of prostate, etc. Sessions on nutrition for the elderly and specific health concerns of older women are also scheduled.
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