Thai government lays out plans to take care of the elderly

BANGKOK, April 2 (TNA) - The Thai government supports the implementation of measures by agencies concerned in an integral manner to take care of the elderly, as Thailand is approaching a complete aging society by 2021. Thai Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Yongyuth Yuthavong told a press conference in Bangkok on Thursday of the government's policy, saying that six concerned agencies, including the Ministries of Social Development and Human Security, Public Health, Interior, Science and Technology, Education and Labour, have, thus, been ordered to integrate their relevant projects on developing the quality of life of the elderly, with pilot projects set to be launched this year in 155 sub-districts in 76 provinces nationwide. Dr. Yongyuth stated that such projects have already been kick started by some ministries, citing as examples that the Ministry of Public Health has launched special health services for the elderly and those relying on others for care, as well as having prepared teams of family doctors to take care of the elderly in various areas where the patients are provided with prostheses and dental implant services free of charges. The deputy prime minister noted that Thailand is the only country, where dental implant services are provided to the elderly free of charges. Besides, the Ministry of Science and Technology has developed scientific and technological innovative equipment to help take care of the elderly, while the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security has focused on building up potential and strength of local communities in taking care of the elderly and the Ministry of Labour has taken care of the elderly through its social insurance system. According to the deputy premier, last year's official survey found that there were over 10 million senior citizens, aged over 60 years, in Thailand, the figure of which should double over the next 20 years. The deputy premier acknowledged the official survey also found that by 2021, the proportion of the elderly in Thailand should increase by 20 per cent, turning the Thai society into a world complete aging society. The deputy premier revealed the survey also found that most senior citizens lived in the Thai Northeast at 31 per cent, followed by the central, the northern and the southern regions, while 9 per cent of senior citizens lived in Bangkok. (TNA)