The Coalition of Caregivers has petitioned the Liberian Senate to pass the Bill for a National Commission for the Elderly in Liberia.
According to the petition, the Coalition of Caregivers and Advocates for the Elderly in Liberia (COCAEL), in collaboration with caregivers, community advocates, civil society organizations and representatives of elderly communities across Liberia, stated that the elderly population has long contributed to the peace, traditional values, community development and nation building of the country.
They noted that yet, in their old age, many are left without support, access to quality healthcare, social protection, safe housing and income security.
They explained that a growing number of them are living in extreme poverty, neglect, hunger, medical need and vulnerability.
They indicated that currently, over 100,000 elderly persons in Liberia are without a national institution directly responsible for coordinating and protecting their welfare.
They stated that this gap has resulted to limited or no access to medicine, caregiving support, and medical attention.
They noted the high rate of preventable illness and suffering, as well as social abandonment of older men and women who served their families and communities, including their country, noting that weak legal and policy frameworks to safeguard elderly rights and well-being.
They pointed out that the establishment of the National Commission for Elderly will ensure national oversight and coordination of services for aging and palliative care and also to strengthen policy development and legal protection for older persons.
They maintained the need for promoting caregiving training programs for national caregivers and health workers as well as mobilizing national and international resources to support elderly welfare initiatives, including guarantee dignity, respect, inclusion and protection for every elderly Liberian.
They urged that the Liberian Senate swiftly reviews, deliberate and pass this bill as it represents a historic step toward fulfilling Liberia’s moral and social responsibility to care for those who have cared for the nation.
The Coalition of Caregivers and Advocates for the Elderly in Liberia petition was presented to the Senate on Thursday at the Capitol Building with several elderly persons, including the Retired Bishop of the Annually Conference of the United Methodist Church, Bishop Arthur Kola.
Meanwhile, receiving the petition on behalf of the Senate’s Leadership were the Grand Cape Mount County Senator, Dabah Varpilah, Grand Gedeh County’s Thomas Yaya Nimely, Bong County’s Senator Johnny Kpehe and Montserrado County’s Senator Saah Joseph, who promised that the plenary of the Senate will look into their petition.