Geriatric Health Service Strategy 2078/79 to 2086/87 - (2021-2030)

 Geriatric Health Service Strategy (2021-2030)

2078/79 to 2086/87 

Introduction

Background

Increasing life expectancy and the ageing structure of the population in Nepal reflects progress in human development, and has humanitarian, social and health implications. The Constitution of Nepal has made provision for equal access to health services for all citizens and provides senior citizens the right to special protection and social security from the State.

In 2004, the Government initiated the state-funded senior citizen healthcare service programme. This programme included free medical services for senior citizens and the “Senior Citizens Health Facilities Fund”. The Senior Citizens Act of 2006 includes provisions for the protection and social security of senior citizens including health services. In 2010, “Aarogya Ashram” for senior citizens was introduced, but achieved limited coverage. Constrained financial resources, weak institutional and service delivery capacity has left the health needs of senior citizens largely unmet.

An equitable and inclusive health system is a Government priority and reflected in the National Health Policy, 2019, the Fifteenth Plan (2019/20 to 2024/25) and the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Strategy of the Health Sector. These policies provide for improving the access of senior citizens to quality health services, and strengthening health service delivery to be inclusive and responsive to the needs of senior citizens. In recognition of the vulnerability and rights of senior citizens, the Ministry of Health and Population decided to develop a Geriatric Health Service Strategy. The Ministry has enforced this strategy in accordance with the powers entrusted to the Ministry by the Government of Nepal (Allocation of Business) Rules, 2018 and the prevailing Governance (Management and Operations) Act, 2007.

Need and Rationale of the Strategy

This strategy provides direction and accountability for improving health services for the aged in Nepal. It recognizes that senior citizens face increased risk of chronic conditions and multi-morbidities, with reduced functional capacity, and that health services have to account for these limitations and needs. It sets out a comprehensive framework for planning, funding and providing health care and health protection services to the elderly. The strategy encompasses population-based and service delivery strategies for healthy ageing and covers prevention, resilience building and primary health care, living well with long-term health conditions, better support for senior citizens with high and complex health needs and improving recovery and rehabilitation from acute episodes.

The strategy prioritizes, guides, and sets standards for geriatric health services. It mainstreams

geriatric health issues in the national health system, allocates accountability, and recognizes that

adaptation of the strategy will be required at provincial and local levels to be relevant and

effective.

This strategy reflects the commitment of the government to ensuring comprehensive health care

services to all senior citizens of Nepal, as part of the progressive realization of Universal Health

Coverage. The strategy supports other related policy interventions and is intended to be

complementary and reinforcing, and not to replace or undermine them. This strategy will inform

and support synergies, collaboration and complementarities with partner organizations and

stakeholders engaged in the field of geriatric health in the country.

Priorities of the Strategy

Nepal’s constitutional and policy commitments provide a firm basis for healthy ageing. Healthy ageing is the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables well-being in older age. This strategy builds state capacity to support healthy ageing and provide quality health care to senior citizens. As part of Nepal’s pursuit of Universal Health Coverage, this strategy has the following priorities:

1. Easy access to, and availability of quality health services for senior citizens;
2. Competent execution and strengthening of health promotion and protection, quality health care service delivery and social health insurance for senior citizens;
3. Multisectoral advocacy for sensitization and awareness of health ageing;
4. Strengthening and expansion of family and community support systems for healthy ageing;
5. Capacity enhancement of health facilities at all levels engaged in delivering basic curative services, long-term care, community-based and home-based curative services for senior citizens;
6. Strengthening the development and utilisation of integrated information management system for the health of senior citizens;
7. Planning, management and development of appropriate human resources for ensuring quality health service delivery for senior citizens;
8. Guaranteeing gender equitable and inclusive health care services for senior citizens and ensuring accountability;
9. Effective implementation, and the strengthening and expansion of financially sustainable social health insurance system for senior citizens;
10. Institutional integration and development of geriatric health services at provincial and local levels.

Vision

“A meaningful, quality and healthy life for all senior citizens”

Purpose

To protect the health rights of senior citizens by means of their health promotion and protection,
effective delivery of health services and an improved system of social health insurance.

Goal

To enable senior citizens to lead active and quality lives on the basis of optimum health
protection and effective health service delivery.

Objectives

The Geriatric Health Service Strategy has the following main objectives:

• To provide lifelong health promotion and protection services to senior citizens.
• To build an effective, inclusive and accountable health service delivery system for senior citizens.
• To promote multisectoral coordination, harmony, collaboration and partnerships to achieve effective geriatric health services.

Strategies

1. Motivate senior citizens for healthy living and enhance awareness at family and community levels to reinforce health promoting actions. (Objective 1)
2. Strengthen and expand the health protection system for senior citizens. (Objective 1)
3. Increase access to, and the affordability and utilization of quality health services and assistive devices by senior citizens. (Objective 1)
4. Develop a senior citizen-inclusive health system to address the health needs of senior citizens in an appropriate manner. (Objective 2)
5. Motivate and enhance the professional and technical competence of health personnel to provide quality geriatric health services effectively and efficiently. (Objective 2)
6. Expand and strengthen innovative and implementable social health insurance reform measures to respond to the needs of senior citizens and their family members. (Objective 2)
7. Mainstream and institutionalize the health concerns of senior citizens into the health system at all levels. (Objective 3)
8. Strengthen coordination and harmonization across spheres of government and across sectors for the effective delivery of geriatric health services. (Objective 3)

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Reference: 

Government of Nepal-Ministry of Health and Population. Geriatric Health Service Strategy 2078/79 to 2086/87 - (2021-2030).