Statistics show that the northern province of Quang Ninh has nearly 105,000 elderly people, accounting for 9.1% of the population. Over the past years, the province has paid attention to caring for the elderly, especially those in disadvantaged conditions.
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Nguyen Van Doc, Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee visits the elderly. (Photo: QNP) |
Specifically, the province gives assistance worth VND300,000 per month for each elderly person 80 years and older without retirement salary or social insurance support. The province’s assistance is 1.7 times higher than the regulation set by the central level.
In addition, the elderly who do not have income and live at provincial sponsor centres enjoy VND800,000 per month per person for daily fees, VND440,000 higher than the regulation of the Government.
For elderly revolutionary contributors, the province pays a monthly allowance for 14,200 people with a total capital of over VND20 billion, and has mobilised in the fund of gratitude over VND48.4 billion in the 2006-2011 period to build 647 houses and upgrade 672 others. So far, no elderly revolutionary contributors have to live in inadequate housing or in poverty.
Each year, the province holds ceremonies of longevity and gives presents to over 9,500 elderly people.
The province has also paid attention to elderly people’s healthcare. Social organizations have regularly worked with medical organizations inside and outside the province to provide health check-ups, free medicine, eye surgeries and rehabilitation for the elderly. Each year, tens of billions of VND is spent on healthcare for over 54,000 elderly people. Notably, the province also helps the elderly maintain their health through practice at sports clubs.
Furthermore, the province has created favourable conditions for the elderly to promote their role in socio-economic activities. There are currently nearly 98,000 elderly people who are members of elderly people’s associations, over 8,300 elderly Party members, nearly 45,500 elderly people who still participate in business and production activities, and 2,200 elderly people who are owners of farms or business foundations./.