AKLAN 2nd District Rep. Carlito Marquez is pushing to institutionalize a government medical facility for senior citizens in the province.
Marquez introduced House Bill No. 3552, or “An Act Establishing The Aklan Geriatric Medical Center in the Province of Aklan,” that seeks to cater the primary and special medical needs of the elderly.
“Vulnerable
sectors such as elderly or senior citizens need
special care and management,” he stressed.
Marquez added the aging population tends to have a higher prevailing of
chronic diseases, physical distress, mental illnesses and
frailty.
The solon also said the proposed healthcare facility specializing in services for geriatric medicine will promote medical, scientific research and training relative to the diagnosis, care, treatment and rehabilitation of disease of older persons.
According to Marquez, the integrated geriatric medical center will also develop and implement holistic and patient-centered programs.
Geriatrics or geriatric medicine is a specialty that focuses on health care of elderly people. The care of aged people is primarily handled by geriatric medicine specialists who have special training or experience in treating older adults with health problems such as pain, osteoporosis, confusion and dementia, medication side effects and falls.
The age group 60 years and over, Marquez said may have several medical conditions and are often taking multiple medications, accounted for 6.3 percent of 575,000 population in 2015 Aklan Census. (With a report from Akean Forum/PN)
