Dimapur: Nagaland chief secretary Sentiyanger Imchen on Thursday said more than 63,300 senior citizens in the state are currently receiving assistance through the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme under the National Social Assistance Programme and state-supported pension initiatives.
Speaking about government initiatives for senior citizens at the state-level observation of International Day of Older Persons at the NBCC Convention Centre in Kohima, Imchen called for stronger systems and greater collective responsibility to ensure that longer lives are healthy, dignified, secure and meaningful.
On healthcare and social support, he said the state government, through the social welfare department and its partners, was strengthening healthcare support through health camps, cataract surgeries and other targeted interventions.
Under the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana, eligible senior citizens from BPL families are provided assistive and mobility devices, he stated.
Imchen also referred to the strengthening of geriatric caregiver training in partnership with Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR), Dimapur, and other expert training partners.
He said the initiative would help improve professional care for the elderly while creating meaningful livelihood opportunities for the youth.
On institutional care, Imchen said the government supports 12 senior citizen homes under the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana, providing safe and healthy environments where senior citizens can find companionship, recreational activities and medical supervision.
Speaking on the Senior Citizens Helpline – 14567, a toll-free national helpline launched in Nagaland on September 28, 2021, he said the helpline provides information and guidance on pensions, government schemes and elder-care services, besides assistance in situations involving distress, vulnerability or abuse.
Imchen said that while policies and schemes were important, their proper implementation on the ground was equally essential.
He stressed that loopholes must be plugged, gaps bridged and outreach expanded.