Malaysia has to find ways to better manage its senior citizens 03 May 2021 / 15:25 H. Pix for illustration purposes.
KUALA
LUMPUR: Like many developed and developing nations of the world, Malaysia too is heading towards an ageing society, with 15% of the population expected to be 60 and above by 2030.
This scenario is actually an inevitable downside of Malaysia’s very own success in providing good primary public health care, food safety and protection against infectious diseases via vaccinations since achieving independence 60 years ago.
The government’s effort in providing adequate healthcare has helped increase the average Malaysian life expectancy by 20 years – 73 years for males and 78 years for females.
Monday, 03 May 2021 04:52 PM MYT
The Member of Parliament for Pengerang, Johor, is on a personal crusade in dealing with the ageing population. Picture by Shafwan Zaidon
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KUALA LUMPUR, May 3 Like many developed and developing nations of the world, Malaysia too is heading towards an ageing society, with 15 per cent of the population expected to be 60 and above by 2030.
This scenario is actually an inevitable downside of Malaysia’s very own success in providing good primary public health care, food safety and protection against infectious diseases via vaccinations since achieving independence 60 years ago.
More needs to be done to ensure adequate senior care SUNPIX
PETALING JAYA: The risk of senior citizens failing to receive proper care and attention looms large in Malaysia.
The country crossed the threshold that “qualifies” it as an aged nation when the ratio of the elderly surpassed 7% of the total population last year.
However, according to the Malaysian Healthy Ageing Society (MHAS), the quality of care for the aged remains “very poor”.
The problem is only going to get worse. With lifespan lengthening, those aged 65 and above will account for at least 15% of the population by 2030.
MHAS president Dr Wong Teck Wee said the data should prompt the country into revising the state of aged care.
National effort: The second phase of the vaccination campaign from April to August will involve 9.4 million people from high-risk groups such as those with medical conditions. FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
PETALING JAYA: There should be no cause for “vaccine hesitation” among the elderly as Covid-19 vaccines are safe for all age groups, say health experts and age-care groups.
Malaysian Healthy Ageing Society president Dr Wong Teck Wee believes that the fear among the elderly stems from some reports on deaths occurring after the vaccine was taken, citing cases in Norway where 23 elderly persons died.
After probes by the health authorities in those countries, Dr Wong said the cause of death was found to be not related to the vaccine but from an underlying medical condition.