FG signs MoU with NSCC to standardize older persons’ health care

By Albert Akota

The Federal Ministry of Health has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Senior Citizen Center (NSCC) to create action plans for the provision of healthcare services for older persons across the country.

The Director General, NSCC Dr Emem Omokaro, while speaking at the signing of the MoU in Abuja, said the aim of the MoU was to standardize the care of older persons with certified healthcare agencies.

The DG noted that the challenges facing older persons are intersecting ranging from income, insecurity, health challenges in terms of affordable, accessible, appropriate and acceptable, multi-dimensional poverty, and malnutrition.

She noted different types of care for older persons to include health and social care services, domiciliary care, family care, community care, respite care, and palliative care among others. According to her, NSCC does not have the professional department to deal with these things which is why a MoU is important to deal with the provisions of such care for older persons.

She said all the professional bodies in the health sector are being brought together such that they can own the process and understand the statutory mandate that they are supposed to play.

Omokaro said there is a need to map out how to finance and provide innovative insurance to assist the older person to have access to health and social care services.

The Director, Head Gender, adolescent, school health and elderly division Federal Ministry of Health Dr John Ovuoraye in his remarks explained that the MoU is important to the achievement of universal health coverage.

He said with the MoU, ministries will begin to have a line budget to address the needs of older persons adding that with MoU on the ground international partners will be willing to key into supporting older persons and ensure more resources are made available.

Indian envoy urges Nigerians to embrace Yoga for wellbeing

The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Gangandharan Balasubramanian, has called on Nigerians to embrace Yoga practice as a way of improving their physical and mental wellbeing.

The High Commissioner told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja that Yoga should be seen as another form of exercise that helps condition the body and mind for optimum benefit.

“Yoga is a form of exercise that is very good for physical and mental well-being, it can also help enhance vitality, focus and productivity,” Balasubramanian said.

He said in view of the enormous benefits of Yoga, the High Commission in Abuja had opened free Yoga classes for members of the public, which would also help to deepen relations between both countries.

“I am happy to announce to the Nigerian public that we have opened our free yoga classes at the High Commission of India, Abuja, so our Nigerian friends should avail themselves of this opportunity.

“We have an excellent facilitator (Mr Dipitiranjan Mohanty), who has a PhD in Yoga and has been sent by the government of India to the mission.

“The classes are of course free from 4.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. on week days (after registration) and we believe this will help improve our health; also deepen relations between both countries, ” he said.

The High Commissioner assured that plans were underway to further strengthen the cordial bilateral relations between both countries.

NAN reports that Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originates from India.

The word ‘Yoga’ is derived from Sanskrit, meaning to join or to unite, symbolising the union of body and consciousness.

As part of the growing appeal for Yoga, the United Nations on Dec. 11, 2014, proclaimed June 21, as the International Day of Yoga by resolution 69/131. (NAN)