Govt plans to help its senior citizens

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Tuesday, 15 February 2011 22:06

By Daniel Msangya, The Citizen Correspondent Dodoma.  The government is preparing the Social Protection Framework which would help special groups, including senior citizens, benefit from social funds, the Bunge was told here yesterday. The deputy minister for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Lucy Nkya, told the House that the Tanzania Social Action Fund (Tasaf) and Help Age International have started the process. This would facilitate and make members of the public recognise the needs of old people, she said. Members of the public would also be shown how to access small tokens through cash transfers to enable old people survive and sustain their lives, he said. He explained that Help Age International has been operating a pilot project in Karagwe District, Kagera Region. On the other hand, Tasaf is conducting another pilot project in Bahi and Chamwino districts, Dodoma Region, as well as Bagamoyo District in Coast Region, he said. According to him, the government provides a number of humanitarian services through the Social Welfare Department. These include financial assistance to the poor and old people for making them have an income. She was answering a question from Prof Kulikoyela Kahigi, (Bukombe-Chadema). The latter had asked the government to explain what plans were set aside to support old people. He said most were so vulnerable and poor to afford their daily needs, including food, clothes and healthcare. Reacting to another supplementary question from Mr George Simbachawene (Kibakwe – CCM), the deputy minister said special health services had been established in every hospital. He cited Dodoma regional government hospital which had a special desk for the aged. He said apart from the desk, a special doctor had been reserved to attend the senior citizens