Africa-Press – Botswana. Government will continue to strive for the betterment of lives of the elderly people in the country through improved programmes such as the old age pension, popularly known as Tandabala, Acting President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane has said.
Speaking at an event of appreciating elders in Kedia on December 15, Mr Tsogwane said as the economy continued to grow, government would in future revise the pension for elders to earn more.
Mr Tsogwane, who is also Member of Parliament for Boteti West, said old people had contributed a lot in the development of the country before and after independence, hence the need to recognise and appreciate them.
He encouraged elderly people to frequently seek medical attention since government had made health services accessible freely by all, adding that would ensure a prolonged life.
Mr Tsogwane cited the newly established Kedia Clinic as some of the efforts made by government to improve health services in the country.
He also highlighted that Botswana was known for being a democratic country, therefore it was important that elderly people imparted that education to the younger generation.
With policy making, Mr Tsogwane said the country leadership would always engage elders before implementation because government deemed such cohort wise.
For his part, a nurse in charge of Kedia, Mopipi and Mokoboxane clinics, Mr Eric Sigweni said the idea of recognising and appreciating elderly people through Christmas gifts or lunch was incepted in 2018 by the health staff in the area.
Upon the realisation that the elderly people fell within the vulnerable bracket in the country, Mr Sigweni said they decided on the annual Christmas lunch.
He noted that the event, held at the clinic, was also an opportunity for elders to access health services as many seldom visited health facilities. At the event pensioners were tested for hypertension and diabetes among other diseases.
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