Fighting ageism in Bangladesh

Requent illness or even just feeling unwell is a part of aging. In developed countries the wellbeing of its senior citizens is seen as a responsibility of the state and hence they are benefitted worldwide through the various healthcare facilities and pension funds available in most developed countries. Comparatively, the scenario is bleaker in this part of the world although some of our neighbouring countries have made visible strides in supporting their elderly. So when will Bangladesh will catch up?

One of the most comprehensive and impressive social initiatives to assist the elderly has been the UN's Madrid Plan of Action 2002. Created with the view to creating independent, social, and physical support systems for older persons in a host of countries including Bangladesh, the programme specially focuses on facilitating a dignified and pleasurable lifestyle for these people.

Bangladesh defines those above 55 years of age as an older person. With technology, education and successful awareness campaigns spreading health consciousness to even the most rural parts of the country, the average lifespan has increased too. The availability of facilities that could make these prolonged lives comfortable, however, are few and far between. A recent article published in The Daily Star explains how government service holders and other workers above 60, having worked for over 25 years, qualify for retirement pensions based on their last drawn salary amounts. This leaves out the innumerable underprivileged senior citizens who have neither the sufficient income nor the physical capability to support themselves.

This isn't to say there is absolutely no effort to assist senior citizens in our country. "The idea that parents are the heads of the family is still a prevalent culture in Bangladesh," reminds Dr. Muhammed Abu Selim, former Director of the Probin Hospital in Agargaon. That trend still keeps many senior citizens well looked after, some of whom can afford medical assistance at home even if their families do not live with them.

That's just the top percentile, though. Around 45 million people – one-third of the population – live under the poverty line in Bangladesh, according to the Rural Poverty portal. This takes up almost 36 percent of the rural population and 28 percent of those in urban areas. Once again, the figures need reminding that weakening biological systems and the lack of sufficient nutrition rob these people of the ability to work and earn sustenance. More importantly, a large portion of these people are women, who especially in rural scenarios are expected to take care of household chores well into their old age, irrespective of whether they are capable of it.

Keeping these notions in mind, close to 100 old age facilities have been established in several parts of the country. The more commonly known among them are Givensee Group's Rehabilitation Centre in Gazipur, Swapnolok properties by Subarta Trust and the Bangladesh Association for the Aged and Institute of Geriatric Medicine (BAAIGM) in Agargaon.

Dr. Selim, who is also a Life Member of BAAIGM, elaborates on the basic amenities that the place provides – including, two-bedded rooms costing Tk 4,000 per month, food costing Tk 2,500 per month, general medical services, a library and cultural evenings on special occasions. The medical wing comprises ENT, dental, eye departments, and the surgeons sitting in on pre-arranged days carry out minor surgeries. While the Agargaon based organisation is the biggest such facility of its kind, the total cost of Tk 6,500 cannot be afforded by the underprivileged – leaving the initiative open to only middle to upper-middleclass citizens.

Catering to such loopholes despite the best interests of these larger organisations, the personal initiatives taken up by affluent citizens go a long way in helping those in need. Started as an informal arrangement in Ramadan of 2015, the Apon Nibash Briddha Asroy Kendro was set up by Syeda Selina Sheli to give shelter to abandoned, isolated and underprivileged older women in Uttara's Chandpara, Uttarkhan area. Tk 200 is charged of those who can afford to pay for the food, and laundry provided at the two storey house. The land was supplied free of rent as a philanthropic gesture by a local member of the residential area, a supervisor named was employed and a cook was hired to prepare the food provided by Khadija Begum, another member who lives in Chittagong. Sizeable contributions are also made by another member, Farida Rita Ahmed. Managed by 52 female members of various age groups who pay for the residents' food items, washing machine, medical bills and other basic needs, the arrangement currently houses 17 women who have been estranged from their families for various reasons. "We try to visit the residents from time to time to personally check on their needs, and try to cater to them through donations paid out by each of us in circulation when we can," said Khuki Begum, one of the members of the organisation.

Research and government bodies across the world are stressing on the rapidly growing aged population of most countries, citing the fall in birth rates due to effective family planning, and increased life expectancy as a result of modern medicine. The mission, however, is not just to let people live longer but lives that are comfortable and meaningful. Bangladesh is slowly making progress in terms of private initiatives that attempt to lend a helping hand, but the situation is still far from ideal. It is up to the state to implement better and more far-reaching welfare policies to the elderly, especially to the poor and incapacitated. Technical expertise must be employed at the facilities to provide truly effective assistance to those who need it – with focus on physical and psychological support. Finally, it also lies in the hands of those who are younger to take responsibility of their older fellow citizens.

The writer is a student of English and Economics at NSU, and an intern of the editorial department, The Daily Star.