The World Health Organisation (WHO) Nigeria has said it is working with the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) to improve access to healthcare and social services for older persons across the country.
WHO Nigeria disclosed this after its Country Representative, Dr Pavel Ursu, received the Director-General of the NSCC, Hon. Omobolanle Akinyemi Obe, as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration on care for older people.
The organisation said many Nigerians aged 60 and above, especially those in rural and underserved communities, still face difficulties accessing health and social services that meet their needs.
Improving care for older persons
According to WHO, Nigeria is making progress through investments in Primary Health Care and health system strengthening, with more facilities being supported to provide services that are suitable for older people.
The organisation said it is supporting the integration of Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) into primary healthcare.
The programme covers preventive care, health promotion, management of chronic diseases and rehabilitation, with the aim of making routine healthcare more accessible to older persons.
WHO is also supporting the training of health workers to improve how they respond to the health needs of older people.
Beyond healthcare, the organisation said it is working with government and partners to strengthen social protection and community support for vulnerable older persons.
It is also supporting policies that will help Nigeria prepare for a growing ageing population.
WHO calls for stronger support
WHO Nigeria said healthy ageing is important to families and communities because it allows older people to continue living with dignity, independence and productivity.
“Nigeria’s older persons deserve to live long, healthy, and dignified lives and stronger systems can make that possible,” the organisation said.
WHO said it will continue working with government at the national and subnational levels, the NSCC and partners including Save the Children and UNFPA to improve services for older persons.
The organisation said the goal is to ensure that older people, regardless of where they live, are not left behind in access to essential health and social services.
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