By YVONNE CHATE –

HELP Age Zambia has appealed to Government to consider giving old people total free access to medical services and drugs.
Help Age Zambia executive director London Mwape said this yesterday during the commemoration of International Day of Old People under the theme, ‘Creating Age-friendly For All’ at the Civic Centre in Ndola.
Bishop Mwape said Government had exempted old people from paying health fees from Government health institutions but that old people were not privileged to access drugs on concession or for free.
“Government should improve health service for the old and also introduce older people’s monthly health monitoring routines,” he said.
Bishop Mwape said food security and health issues should continue being a priority in national development plans.
He also said the media should be actively involved in providing balanced information on older people’s issues just as they did on youth and women matters.
Bishop Mwape said the aged were excited to be part of the Golden Jubilee celebration of Zambia and thanked the PF Government for a new revolution.
Ndola Deputy Mayor Richard Kalasa said as Zambia celebrated the Golden Jubilee, it was important to see how senior citizens, that helped before independence, could still contribute to the nation.
Mr Kalasa said Government was challenged to take up measures aimed at protecting the interests of the older people through care and support.
“Government is challenged to take up measures of protecting the interest of older people through care and support and also understand their plight as we celebrate international old day,” Mr Kalasa said.