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Several countries in the Region have introduced age-friendly policies and plans of action. For
instance, Indonesias law to help the elderly population access basic social and health care
services. In Sri Lanka, the National Council for Elders and the National Secretariat for the
Elders, which operate under the Ministry of Social Services, are dedicated to serve the elderly.
As part of this initiative, the Elders Maintenance Board can initiate action against children or
relatives in case of neglect of the elderly. The national authorities are also taking steps to
regulate and register old-age homes in Sri Lanka. India enacted the Maintenance and Welfare
of Parents and Senior Citizens Act in 2007 to provide legal strength to old age care and ensure
that family members take care of their older relatives. Thailand has also adopted a holistic
approach to provide social, health and economic security to its senior citizens. This approach
has contributed to Thailands success in providing long term care to seniors through family,
community and institutional-based interventions.
Building an age-friendly society needs actions from sectors other than health such as education,
employment, labour, finance, social security, transportation, justice, housing and rural-urban
development. On World Health Day, WHO is urging policy-makers and partners to pay urgent
attention to ageing and health.
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WHO South-East Asia Region comprises of following eleven countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, DPR
Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor Leste
For more information please contact:
Ms Vismita Gupta-Smith, Public Information and Advocacy Officer, WHO South-East Asia Regional Office
(SEARO), New Delhi, Tel: 91-11-23309401, mobile + 91 9871329861,
e-mail: guptasmithv@searo.who.int
All press releases, fact sheets and other WHO media material may be found at: www.searo.who.int