Human resources development and institutional capacity building for contemporary and future responses to ageing in Nigeria. Presentation outline. 1.Introduction. 2.Ongoing efforts. 3.Conclusion.

INTRODUCTION The world is ageing rapidly, and that is good news. It means people are living longer and recovering more frequently from acute diseases. Mortality and birth rates are declining, Iife expectancy at birth and older ages are also increasing. In most of the industrialized world, population ageing (P.A ) has been a gradual process over several decades and generations with steady economic growth. In the developing world however this process is being compressed into 2 decades over a single generation.

The population of older persons in Nigeria in 2014 was estimated to be over 8 million. This will come to approximately 10m in 2020 if the Intercensal elderly population growth persists. (NPOpC 2013 estimates) What response has government had, given this situation ? Has this reflected in human resources development and in institutional capacity building ?

ONGOING EFFORTS BY GOVERNMENT IN TACKLING THE WELFARE OF OLDER PERSONS.

▪ FMOH participated in the activities that produced the reviewed ageing policy draft. ▪ TOT workshop for CHP/PO on H/care and W/being of the elderly. A harmonised work plan was developed. ▪ Following a ministerial memo the 54th session of the NCH recommended the establishment of geriatric units in all public health facilities. ▪ Given the impetus and in line with the Ministry's PPP policy a geriatric centre was established by the UCH Ibadan in partnership with Chief Tony Anenih.

 A desk review on the situation of geriatric health services in 15 tertiary hospitals was conducted.  Following the outcome of that exercise a proposal was made on the minimum health package required for operating a standard geriatric clinic.  Now the new thinking is for a guideline for establishing, assessing, monitoring and evaluation of geriatric centres to be developed.

2 international seminars in 2011 and 2012 by NUC on capacity building for workforce development in the field of ageing with emphasis on research in the 2011 forum. These efforts paid off with the commencement of implementation of an MOU signed between NUC and University of North Texas, Denton USA to develop graduate programs, faculty and research in applied gerontology in 2013.

April 2014 : A National stakeholders meeting on the health care of old persons was held. The title was Healthy ageing and geriatric care management in Nigeria.  A draft of the National action plan for geriatric care was produced, awaiting printing and dissemination.  October 2014 : FMWASD in collaboration with Dave Omokaro foundation held a policy summit. Theme : leaving no one behind, promoting a soceity for all.

2015 : Seminar for the development of curriculum for Masters in Geriatric Medicine was organised by NUC. Today a platform for research development in the field of ageing is being launched. CONCLUSION : The foregoing depicts a rather slow pace of development in the National quest to address the germaine issue of healthy ageing and general welfare of older persons in Nigeria. Although a few scores may have justified the efforts there is still a lot to be done.

Policy is key. An organised framework for addressing the needs of old persons is basic and so should be procured without further delay. Our development partners and civil soceity bodies are today called upon to show more seriousness in identifying the existing gaps and taking initiatives with a view to catalysing government buy-in with respect to ageing.

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