Kozhikode rolls out action plan to become age-friendly city
Close on the heels of its recent recognition from the World Health Organisation (WHO) — with membership in the Global Network of Age-friendly Cities, Kozhikode is steadily progressing towards becoming a truly age-friendly city. An action plan to achieve this goal was recently approved by the Kozhikode Corporation Council and is expected to be fully implemented within the next four months.
The action plan, aligned with the eight key directions recommended by the WHO, will be carried out in collaboration with the Samanvaya programme.
It is divided into several focus areas: elderly health, psychosocial support, social participation, respect and social inclusion, civic participation and employment, communication and information, transportation, housing, and outdoor spaces and buildings.
One of the main objectives is to enhance healthcare access for everyone aged 60 and above. This includes providing doorstep medical services, establishing geriatric wards in hospitals, supplying necessary medical equipment, and ensuring lab services are made available at home. To provide psychosocial support, the plan incorporates therapeutic counselling, psychiatric services, telemedicine facilities, dementia clinics, and recreational outings for the elderly.
Senior Citizens' Clubs will play a key role in promoting social participation. Skilled professionals among the elderly will be engaged in various activities. Artistic and cultural groups, literary events, competitions, and sports meets are also part of the plan.
Various initiatives, including legal awareness campaigns addressing injustices faced by the elderly, senior help desks at police stations, and legal adalats, are also included.
Senior citizens will also be encouraged to take up entrepreneurship. Pension disbursement will be ensured, and those interested will be included in employment guarantee schemes. Efforts will be made to provide training in new technologies, innovative ideas, and research.
Data gathered through surveys conducted under the Samanvaya programme will be used to streamline the action plan. It may be noted that Kozhikode city was declared an 'Elderly Friendly' city in 2022, and the initiatives undertaken at that time played a crucial role in securing WHO recognition.
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