WINDHOEK, March 13 (Xinhua) -- A United Nations Expert on Monday urged Namibia to invest in healthcare as the projected growth rate for the older population in sub-Saharan Africa is faster than any other region.
Speaking at a press conference in Namibia capital Windhoek, Rosa Kornfeld said that this will result in immense pressure on the care system as a growing number of older persons will be living with chronic diseases and disability.
"Low population density and accelerated levels of urbanization have the potential to erode the traditional family care system. Further investment by the government in health and care infrastructure is required to provide alternatives to the older persons in rural areas," she said.
She added that care can no longer be considered simply a family matter and called upon government to step up its efforts to revise the Aged Persons Act in order to fully provide for the rights, protection care and welfare of older people.
The expert has been in Namibian for the past three weeks where she had a chance to meet with older people and representatives of local authorities as well as civil society representatives. She was presenting preliminary findings for a report which will come out in September.
She commended government for its political determination and vision on how to improve the lives of all Namibians by 2030 and to protect their human rights and urged the government to deliver on its promises.
