They are still important than thought, despite the tough conditions at old age. Older persons have remained a significant resource through sharing knowledge and experiences, promoting culture and traditions. Offering childcare to orphans, children and vulnerable family members are some of the other services the economically productive population has often failed to offer yet the old are capable of.
Their concerns have largely been left out in the formulation and implementation of development and protection programs in Uganda. Older persons lack platforms to speak on their own issues and the public is largely unaware of their concerns.
In rare situations where they get an opportunity to speak, their issues are not considered a priority, as they are taken as typical ageing issues with no urgent need for redress. Older person’s exclusion from existing development and protection programs is a big issue in Uganda. Why waiting in long queues with the rest of the people as they await service delivery for hours?
Gone are the days of waiting. Currently, elderly people make up 2% of the population in Uganda. According to World Health Rankings (2015) life expectancy in Uganda is: Male 60.3, female 64.3 and total life expectancy is 62.3 years which gives Uganda a World Life Expectancy ranking of 150. At the same time Uganda boasts of over 78% people below the age of 30 years which pose a threat to likely explode to 130 million by 2050, however, this is a big resource for production before they clock 65 years. This implies the likelihood for increasing numbers of older citizens in the near future.
Although the 2% figure may seem insignificant, the World Health organization has projected that a demographic revolution is underway throughout the world, and that the total of older persons will double by 2025 and will reach virtually two billion by 2050 - the vast majority of them in the developing world, Uganda inclusive. The elder people have for more than 65 years tremendously contributed to the society and still actively engaged though majority encounter hardships and prejudice.
Without getting closer to the old people you will never understand how grave their mental health is affected. Most elderly are laden with emotional challenges along life itinerary while economic and climatic hardships in the country aggravate the unhealed traumas. We see them; sleep under risky shelters, almost not clothed, living with effects of sexual and physical violence experienced during war and flight, many are displaced to leave ancestral land.
Imagine the pain after being abandoned by their own children and later succumb to social isolation. Lacking access to healthcare, food, water and companionship would imply that they are literally cut-off from society. Such is the life you and me fear to experience yet nearly 2% of Ugandans are likely to encounter if proactive interventions are on hold.
Now, to you who is reading this article, gone are the days of waiting our government being in charge of everything. Various religions and the Catholic teachings inform us about the obligation children have to their parents especially at old age. Children also have the same duty to other elderly people in the society to; help them in various ways, feed, clothe them, comfort them and reduce their anxiety. Do your duty; you are an agent of change.
Ddumba M. Pius
Lecturer
Uganda Martyrs University - Nkozi
dbpius220@gmail.com
Comments