Silver Inning Foundation Oral Statement for UN 14th OEWG on Ageing

Hira Mehta - Spokesperson of Silver Inning Foundation presenting Oral Statement at UN 14th OEWG

 I am Hira Mehta from Silver Inning Foundation, an NGO working with older persons across India. 

In India, 149 million older persons are in 60 plus age group belonging to diverse cultures. More than 65% live in rural area and 90% have no social security. Most of the older persons depend on the family support system. Today, changing values are weakening inter-generational ties that is hallmark of our traditional family institution. 

At age of 58, I was mentally and physically fit, but I had to retire without choice. This left me feeling socially isolated, lost and disturbed for a long time, because I felt I was capable of more. Today, with meager 14$ pension per month, I struggle to live decent life and find it difficult to access and afford right health care.   

Challenges that are significantly influencing older persons’ right to health are unavailability of healthcare facilities and services, lack of awareness, education, early detection and prevention, as also socio-economic factors, such as disparities between urban and rural lifestyle. 

As Older Person I want to ‘Age with Rights’ to maintain healthy well-being with dignity. Therefore, multi-faceted approach with robust healthcare policies, increased investment in healthcare infrastructure, access, affordability and prioritization of preventive healthcare is required. More importantly, expansion of health insurance coverage for all older persons is also needed.  

India, has sizable population of persons with Alzheimer’s disease. Illiteracy and social taboos surround this disease, I must admit that for a long time, even I did not know the difference between age related and dementia related issues. Hence, there is a strong need for awareness campaigns, training, well-defined policy and national dementia plan.  

We align with the statement made by ‘Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People’, a ‘UN Convention for Older Person Rights’ would guarantee older persons’ access to affordable healthcare to help them maintain optimum level of physical, mental and emotional well-being and prevent or delay the onset of illness, to live life with dignity and self-fulfilment. 

Date 20th May'24 

Photo of Civil Society Group at UN 14th OEWG on Ageing

The 14th session of the UN Open-ended Working Group on Ageing (OEWG) was held between 20-24th May 2024 in New York. It is a critical time for civil society to maintain pressure for the adoption of a United Nations' Convention on the rights of older people.