Elderly Population Growth in Bangladesh: Preparedness in Public and Private Sectors

Abstract

:-Ageing of the population is now one of the most important facts that came to the foreground in the 21 st century. The rapid growth in the elderly of Bangladesh population after 2040 will challenge existing health care services, family relationships on social security. Because of change in the family structure there will be implications on health care of elderly from the family and unmet need of health care services in the public sector will rapidly increase. the aim of this research is to explore how the aging situation in Bangladesh is addressing and anticipating the challenges of an aging society. A review of program activities suggests that Bangladesh preparedness for an aging population is decidedly mixed. Public policy may have an important influence on the role of family support systems in the future but it is not significant considering the absolute size of the elderly population. Current demographic trends indicate that Bangladesh will very different in the coming decades than is to day. Mortality and fertility will be lower, and life expectancy will be rising. Population growth will have slowed substantially as supported by the medium and low variants projections respectively. Strengthening human capital by ensuring empowerment education and employment of all citizens will yield a high return to investment and will help countries reap a demographic dividend that can lift millions out of poverty. Creating hope and opportunity for young people to develop their full potential can drive progress in the years to come and ultimately result in a second demographic dividend of healthy lives, wealthier and more productive older person.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Bangladesh: A Systematic Review

“…As a result, a huge number of individuals will be at risk of suffering from different chronic diseases like COPD in the future. In the context of Bangladesh, elderly people are greatly dependent on others for their basic needs like food, shelter and health care [50]. Therefore, it is necessary for the pertinent stakeholders to develop appropriate policies and programmes in order to provide quality health care for elderly people suffering from COPD by ensuring financial solvency (by increasing work opportunity, providing old age allowance and retirement benefits); promoting social security and supporting health system preparedness considering the fact that good health of senior citizens of a country has the potential to contribute to the country’s economic growth by sharing their skill and experience.…”

Health and socioeconomic resource provision for older people in South Asian countries: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka

“…Barikdar et al highlight how taking care of the elderly will be a major challenge for Bangladesh, due to inadequate resources allocated to elderly services and no proper planning or strategic interventions for providing holistic care (51). Indeed, other than the opening of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital special geriatric unit in April 2014, there are no other public-sector activities (52,53). There is, however, ongoing work by the Bangladesh Association for the Aged and Institute of Geriatric Medicine (BAAIGM), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) operating speci c health care and rehabilitation programmes for older people.…”

“…The BAAIGM acts nationally as an advocate for improved geriatric care, as well as carrying out research on the health and socioeconomic status of the elderly in Bangladesh (54,55). The BAAIGM also runs a 50-bed geriatric hospital, 50-bed dormitory for the elderly, and is constructing a rehabilitation centre in Gazipur with capacity for up to 500 elderly persons (53). eight medical colleges offering a speci c MD in Geriatrics, with a total annual intake (seats) of 42 (47).…”

“…Despite the lack of public-sector geriatric care, private institutions such as the Subarta Trust and Sir William Beveridge Foundation work to improve welfare for the elderly population. The Subarta Trust operates a residential complex with geriatricians and allied healthcare professionals, although such services are unaffordable to the urban middle class and poor(53,56).…”

Construction of the active aging index in Bangladesh: challenges and opportunities

“…The condition of older people like who are women, widows, and those living in slums and rural areas is even more aggravated [ 8 , 9 ]. In Bangladesh, older adults are among the significantly deprived citizens and the situation is worse for rural older women who do not have income and access to family and health care [ 2 , 10 ].…”