ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari said the government is fully committed to put in place measures to ensure healthy and productive life of the elderly so that they continue to be a valuable resource for their families and communities and contribute to the nation building.
In a message on the occasion of World Health Day on April 7, the President said, "Every year, World Health Day is celebrated on April 7 to commemorate the anniversary of the founding of World Health Organization in 1948."
He said the topic of World Health Day this year is Ageing and health with the theme "Good health adds life to years".
Due to advances in science and technology and medicine the average lifespan of people has gone up, he added.
The President said according to World Health Organization in the next few years, for the first time, there will be more people in the world aged over 60 than children aged less than five.
By 2050, 80% of the world's older people will be living in low and middle-income countries, he said adding this brings a new challenge of making life for the elderly, healthy and productive.
The President said, "ageing concerns each and every one of us and the challenge for Pakistan is to ensure that the elderly can live full, enriching and productive lives."
The President urged the healthcare providers, non-governmental organizations, private entities, philanthropists, community leaders, media and especially youth to not only raise the awareness about the health needs of the elderly but also to contribute towards putting in place concrete measures for their health and well-being.
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