FG unveils academic standards for studies of older persons

ABUJA – In order to address the challenges being faced caring for the older people in the society, the Federal Government yesterday launched a Benchmark Statement and Minimum Academic Standards for the studies of older persons, Applied Gerontology in Nigeria Universities.

Speaking at the formal presentation of the Benchmark to eleven selected Universities, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, NUC, Professor Julius Okojie said that the unveiled standards will address the challenges facing the studies of Geriatrics and the care of the older persons in the society.

Professor Okojie who acknowledged that there are challenges in integrating getriatrics 

studies into the Nigeria University programmes also identified network of geriatric care centres as a means to deal with problems confronting the care for the senior citizens.

According to him, “Problem of ageing is more relevant in Africa and as national universities 

commission we are mindful of this development and it has called for the need to produce professionals equipped with knowledge, skills and competencies to deal effectively with this challenge”

The NUC boss allayed the fears of professional bodies on building formidable capacity for geritric studies, Okojie urged Medical professional bodies and other stakeholders to support the full integration of the studies as the commssion is open to critiques.

“There are dichotomies of challenges in integrating the geriatruc programmes but i urge the professional bodies and other stakeholders to support the commission on this”, Okojie said.

The Representative of the World Health Organisation and the Keynote Speaker ,Dr Andrew Mbewe said good care is important for the promotion of older people`s health .

Mbewe also said that creation of socio-environment will make greater impact in the lives of the older people.

“By 2050 the number of older people in Africa will grow from 54million to 213 million and from this figure Nigeria will have 29million older peopleby the year 2050.

“There is increasing number of older population globally as well as locally the number of 

physicians is small and the health services are not adequate to serve the needs of the elderly based on these reasons the University community must rise to save the world from experiencing an increased number of these people without adequate Care” Dr Mbewe said.

He added that main challenge for the older people are non communicable diseases,heart disease, stroke,lung disease and others.

He said, “Many of the health problems are preventable with access to good care”

The Convener of the programme, a visiting scholar to NUC in the ageing studies, Dr Emem Omokharo said that the commission has developed training modules in applied gerontology studies.

“The NUC has laid a foundation for positive and irreversible change on the care for the elderly persons of the Nigeria society”

The National Universities Commission had trained 22 qualified academic staff , from eleven Nigerian universities, in ageingCertificates applied Gerointology from the university of North Texas.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/07/fg-unveils-academic-standards-for-studies-of-older-persons