icddr,b’s ‘Strengthening Health, Applying Research Evidence (SHARE)’ project in collaboration with Department of Population Sciences (DPS), University of Dhaka has organised the (4)fourth Café Scientifique on 14th January 2019 with the theme of social and health care needs of elderly population in Bangladesh. This is a platform for open discussion among researchers, government stakeholders, health professionals, journalists and students.
In the discussion session, Mohammad Belal Hossain, Associate Professor, DPS, DU presented his findings on current situation of social and health care needs of the elderly population in Bangladesh. He said that, the rapidly growing social and healthcare challenges of the elderly (60+) population, which is about 8 percent of the population.
Dr. ATM Iqbal Anwar, Scientist and Project Director, SHARE project of icddr,b in his address highlighted the importance of introducing elderly people friendly health service, for example by introducing old age corner in every Upazilla Health Complex countrywide. In addition, he said that the health policy should include this group of people to avail health service considering different economic class and social condition. On the other hand, Dr. Mahbub Allehi, Scientist & Head of Universal Health Coverage, HSPSD Division, icddr,b said that, we need to explore how we can incorporate their knowledge in policy planning for the welfare of our society.