MANILA -- With their wisdom and contributions to the country and to the economy, senior citizens are considered as the pillars and valuable members of every community. But needless to say, most of them are not properly cared for by their families and communities in their twilight years.
Dr. Melhammid Tomawis, chair of the National Center for Geriatric Health (NCGH), in an interview, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that senior citizens comprise more than 10 percent of the national population.
"There are more than 10 million senior citizens in the country and that is significant. They are the core foundation of our country, they have contributed to the taxes while they were still strong and working hard,” he said.
Tomawis said that these senior citizens worked for their children, who became lawyers, engineers, among others, adding that they have a lot of contributions to our history because many of them fought during wars.
Tomawis said that senior citizens deserve all the medical care and assistance they could get from the government.
"It's good that we now have discounts for maintenance medicines, diabetes and hypertension, but it's not enough. They need a medical facility for their unique health conditions," he said.
Citing the importance of pediatric and obstetric departments in hospitals, Tomawis emphasized the need for a geriatric hospital which could attend to their emergency health needs and provide therapies and other treatments for older adults.
Geriatrics is a branch of medicine that focuses on the health care of elderly people through prevention and treatment of their diseases and disabilities.
NCGH institutionalization needed
The NCGH is part of former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's social safety net and health services programs which aim to provide for the special needs of the senior citizens nationwide. It was inaugurated on May 27, 2010.
"Since 2010, this has been renovated many times and the equipment for dialysis and other tools are here but this hospital is not operational because there is no law which allows it to operate. This is just an OPD (outpatient department) under Jose Reyes Memorial Center from Monday to Friday," said Tomawis, adding he has been pushing for its institutionalization for nine years now.
Tomawis has seen a "ray of hope" under President Rodrigo Duterte's administration because "it opened the hospital for admission but for mild cases only".
"The emergency room here is not complete. The pharmacy is not open 24 hours and the medicines are incomplete. If there are patients, they are brought to the Jose Reyes Hospital," he added.
As one who was raised by his grandparents, Tomawis said senior citizens are close to his heart.
"We were two doctors when we started in this hospital, now, I'm the only one here, and by God’s grace, and because of my conscience, I cannot push myself to leave the elderlies here. I hope and I believe with President Duterte seating we just have to wait a little for an executive order to be passed," he added.
Handog K.K.K Para Kina Lola at Lolo
Last May 22, the Presidential Communications Operations Office-News and Information Bureau conducted a wellness program dubbed as Handog Kaginhawaan, Kagalingan at Kagalakan Para Kina Lola at Lolo in celebration of the NCGH's ninth founding anniversary.
Senior citizens who attended the event enjoyed free acupuncture, acupressure therapy, massage therapy and haircut while being serenaded by Dondi Ong and his group.
Ong is a hall-of-famer of Aliw Awards for performing the Phantom of the Opera in many countries.
"The harana (serenade), singing of kundiman (native songs) is part of music therapy for the old people. Music makes them feel relaxed and happy and when they're at that state, no depression, the onset of dementia is delayed," Tomawis explained.
Agapita Ayubo, 76, said she enjoyed listening to the kundimans at the event.
"Naririnig ko po nung kabataan ko iyong mga kundiman. Masaya po kapag nag-iipon-ipon kasi, marami kang makakausap, kasi po ang memory natin parang nawawala na rin kapag lagi ka lang sa bahay at lagi lang trabaho (I listened to the kundiman when I was young. I'm happy when people gather together because you're able to talk with other people because your memory fades when you're just at home and you're focused on work only)," she added.
Apart from a new pair of reading glasses, Nanay Agapita received free check-up, x-ray and ECG (electrocardiogram).
"Malaking bagay po na libre kasi po ang pinansiyal ko po ay kulang. May anak po ako pero wala pong allowance na nabibigay sa akin. Malaking tulong po sa aming matatanda na kumpleto ang aming pagpapatingin (This is a big help because I'm lacking financially. I have a child but I'm not given allowance. This a big help for us senior citizens to have complete checkup)," she said.
Nanay Agapita added she and other senior citizens like her "would be happier and more grateful to the government" if the NCGH becomes fully operational.
"Matatanda na kami, kaunting panahon ang ilalagi namin dito. Maganda hindi po ba kung natutugunan po talaga panganagilangan naming pangkalusugan (We're already old, we'll be here [alive] for a short time only. It would be nice if our health needs are met)," she said. (PNA)
