The International Day of older persons would be observed on Monday internationally with the theme of "Empowering Old Persons". The older persons day aims to recognise the contributions of seniors to human and economic development, drawing attention to the opportunities and challenges of global demographic ageing.
In the whole country, the day will be celebrated this year with the message:"Make Senior Citizens part of development; Senior power is Wisdom power".
This message is in support of the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and in line with the recommendations of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing. The theme draws attention to policies and programmes to enhance the quality of life for older persons by ensuring their participation in the social, economic and political spheres of societies.
Ministry of Health (MOH) through its project "Health of Elderly Project" (HOEP) in collaboration with Help Age International and in partnership with Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) will celebrate this occasion through organising an advocacy campaign on the day.
While the week long celebration through different activities like promotion and sensitisation activities with the local print media and institutions like schools, hospitals other local community organisations and NGOs would continue from October 1 to October 7, 2007.
These celebrations will recognise the importance of older people and their place in our society. These activities will promote awareness about special needs of older persons and recognise the need to establish educational institutions that will provide geriatric education and enhance professional skills to cater the health needs of older person.
This occasion is appropriate to have a look at our social system and practices in care of older persons. The day throws light on the aspect that how essential it is to restore the family and social values and build the structures that reflect these values?