Kochi in Kerala has become the first city in India to be a member of World Health Organization (WHO) Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities (GNAFCC), which was established in 2010 to connect cities, communities and organizations worldwide to use a multisectoral approach to work collaboratively with older persons to create age-friendly physical and social environments for healthy and active ageing.
“I am privileged to announce that Kochi is now a member of WHO Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities, and it is our vision to transform our beautiful city into an age-friendly city. The WHO guidance framework for age-friendly cities focuses on enabling domains, such as transportation, housing, outdoor spaces and buildings, social and civic participation, social inclusion, community support, health services, employment, among others. By aligning with this framework, Kochi can transform into a city that values the needs and aspirations of our seniors and enhances the quality of life for all residents,” said Mr M. Anil Kumar, mayor, Kochi Municipal Corporation.
An age-friendly city encourages active ageing by augmenting opportunities for health, participation and security to enhance quality of life as people age by adapting its structures and services to be more accessible and inclusive of the varying needs and capacities of older persons.
WHO GNAFCC currently includes 1542 cities and communities in 51 countries, covering over 320 million people worldwide. Though not an accreditation, the membership shows commitment of Kochi Municipal Corporation to develop an age-friendly environment, and also a platform to share experience, achievements and lessons learnt with other cities and communities.
There are 104 million people over the age of 60 years, constituting 8.6% of the population, according to the Census of India 2011. This number is projected to rise to around 317 million in 2050, accounting for 19.1% of the population, according to World Population Ageing 2017,
India has several policies and programmes to promote and protect the health and rights of older persons, including National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP) 1999, National Policy on Senior Citizens 2011, and National Programme for Healthcare of Elderly and the Geriatric package at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, among others.
Among states in India, Kerala has among the highest numbers of people above the age of 60 years, accounting for 12.6% of the population, according to the Census of India 2011. These are projected to rise to 22.8 % in 2036, according to Population Projections for India and States 2011-36. Kerala Maintenance and Welfare of Senior Citizens Rules 2008, and State Old Age Policy 2013, address the needs of older persons to provide them a life of good health and dignity.
In Kerala, health care and support through mobile clinics, counselling, palliative support is provided to older people living in municipal areas under Vayomithram project, while Vayoraksha scheme for Senior Citizens addresses discrimination, exploitation, neglect and abuse. The Sayamprabha Home Scheme offers an environment that promotes social interaction and improves access to various government schemes for older persons.
Kochi is the first city in India and second city in WHO South-East Asia Region (the first being Wellawaya in Sri Lanka) to become a member of the WHO GNAFCC.