The greatest honour that any government would ever give to its citizens is the right to freely express their thoughts and feelings concerning issues that affect them and offer possible solutions. The 14th and 15th of June 2012, is a day which many older persons in Zvishavane and Hwedza will never forget.
This is the day when HelpAge Zimbabwe, in partnership with the Parliament of Zimbabwe and the PRP conducted Public Hearings on the Older Persons Bill in Zvishavane and Hwedza respectively. This was the first time, since 2002, when the older persons bill was drafted, that parliament, through the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Labour and Social Services had to consult the views of older persons. The over 200 older persons who attended each of the public hearings expressed their joy to have an opportunity to speak face to face with the more than 10 Parliamentarians who conducted the public hearings led by the chairperson of the committee Hon. Margaret Zinyemba.
Ambuya Pedzisai of Zvishavane could not hide the joy of seeing parliamentarians coming to the grassroots seeking older persons contribution to the Older Persons Bill, she said "i'm very happy that parliament has beenn brought down to the villages, i consider myself a parliamentarian in my own right for i can participate in poliy formulation.
The need for the government to provide Universal Pensions, health assistance and support in terms of food provision and orphan care support came out clearly. The Older Persons Bill 2011 is currently proposing for the provision of Social Welfare Assistance, which will only be handed out upon application by destitute and vulnerable older persons. In public hearings conducted in Zvishavane and Hwedza, older persons specifically requested for the government to allocate them with universal pensions. Several reasons to support the request where sited but chief among them included, the caring role of older persons, where they are currently caring for orphans and other vulnerable children. Some older persons even mentioned that they have sold their assets, in the form of cattle and goats amongst other livestock all in an effort to look after their children and orphans under their care. Older persons also demanded that the bill should cover all persons 60 years and above and not use the 65year cut off.
Some older persons also indicated that issues to do with care and support for older persons should include long and short term assistance. at the moment the short term needs were specifically highlighted as food assistance , clothing including blankets and other basic necessities. Long term assistance will then look into issues to do with access to health. Other older persons highlighted that the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare should review the nurse training curriculae to include pediatrics and geriatrics training.
Concerning a board or commission to further look into the needs and welfare in the country, older persons noted that this was a worthwhile move which is long overdue. However they proposed for the representation of older persons at all stages, from ward level to cabinet. This they indicated, will ensure that issues that affect older persons will be articulated and receive due recognition at all stages.
Other emerging issues include the provision of water and sanitation facilities that can be accessed by older persons, the need for their healthy needs to be fully covered as older persons are currently only receiving consultation services from Government hospitals and they have to purchase medication on their own, extended support in line with their caring role for orphans and other vulnerable children. The Parliamentarians allowed older persons to air their problems freely to be able to get the true picture of the plight of older persons.
On transport, older persons also said that their travelling costs within Zimbabwe should be free as they have gone past the age of enjoying free rides but that they only travel when it is very necessary and that their ID should become their bus tickets.
The Minister of Labour and Social Services is now expected to present the Older Persons Bill to parliament as second reading. Thereafter the bill will be open for debate in the house of assembly.
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