Africa-Press – Tanzania. TANZANIA has become the second country in Africa to effectively implement an Elderly Policy since it was established in 2003.
The policy gives elderly the legal protections, their priorities, and their rights.
This was stated by the Deputy Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, responsible for Labour, Youth, Employment, and Persons with Disabilities, Patrobas Katambi, during a parliamentary session held today, April 29, in Dodoma. He was responding to a question from Special Seats MP, Tauhida Cassian Gallos, who inquired about the legal protections for the elderly, their priorities, and their rights.
Under Tanzania’s 1977 Constitution, the elderly are recognized and have the right to receive assistance from society,
In retrospect, the government, through the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women, and Special Groups, is working towards introducing an Elderly Law.
This law will provide guidelines for the central government, local governments, families, and voluntary agents to recognize, care for, uplift the elderly from poverty, provide them with healthcare services, involve them in social activities, and establish elderly councils.
Additionally, the Deputy Minister said under the 1977 Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania, the elderly are recognized and have the right to receive assistance from society, especially during illness or disability, as stipulated in Article 11, Section 1.
He emphasized that the government is considering the possibility of helping the elderly escape poverty by starting to provide them with monthly allowances if the economic situation allows.
In response to another question from Special Seats MP, Christina Mnzava, who wanted to know the government’s plan to introduce allowances for all elderly citizens across the country, similar to the system in Zanzibar, Katambi confirmed that Zanzibar has already started implementing this system of providing elderly allowances. He clarified that the 2003 Elderly Policy emphasizes improving the economic conditions of the elderly and helping them out of poverty. He added that the government will continue to address this issue through the Office of the Prime Minister and the relevant ministries to see if the economic situation will allow the implementation of this policy in mainland Tanzania.
This decision demonstrates the government’s commitment to enhancing the welfare of the elderly and ensuring they receive their essential rights.
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