This year, Tanzania joined the global community in commemorating the United Nations International Day of Older Persons under the theme “Digital Equity for All Ages”.

Marked annually on the 1st October, the day was celebrated by countrywide events that raised awareness about the need for access and meaningful participation in the digital world by older persons.

Speaking at the national event in Mpwapwa, Dodoma region, the Deputy Minister of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Hon. Mwanaidi Ali Khamis noted that older persons have been marginalized in accessing digital platforms. “As a nation we have a responsibility to ensure that older persons get equal opportunity to access and use digital platforms to do things they value and continue contributing to the national development agenda”, said Hon. Khamis.

In a statement read on behalf of the WHO Country Representative, Dr. Tigest Ketsela Mengestu, WHO reiterated its commitment to continue supporting Government efforts to operationalize the Framework for Implementing the Priority Actions of the Global Plan of Action on the Decade of  Healthy Ageing 2021-2030 in Africa Region.

“Older people are the backbone of society. Maintaining the health of older people is an investment in human and social capital. They have accumulated financial and human capital to support socio economic development. They are the promoters of cultural values, arbitrators, and custodians of our history”, said Dr. Tigest.

As part of the commemorations, WHO partnered with journalists to advocate for health and community-based systems that develop and maintain functional abilities of older persons therefore sustaining their well-being in older age.

 “As the number of elders is expected to increase in coming years in Tanzania, we commend the success of the Government in reducing the burden of communicable diseases and the engagement for more commitment and investment in interventions against noncommunicable diseases. Now more than ever, we must all cultivate behaviors, lifestyles and environments to promote health and wellbeing in order to have healthy and active ageing. In fact, ageing is a normal part of life.,” said Dr. Tigest.