What does Egypt do to care for the elderly?

CAIRO - 14 September 2022: Egypt's draft bill protecting the rights of the elderly was submitted by the government, and was sent to both chambers of the parliament; the House of Representatives and the Senate. 

 

The Senate approved the bill, and it returned to the  House of Representatives, to be presented at a plenary session for voting. 

 

 

In the below lines, et will discuss the goals of the bill:

 

 

 1- Ensuring the health, economic, cultural, social and recreational rights of the elderly, and providing them with an appropriate pension that guarantees them a decent life, as well as enabling them to participate in public life.

 

 

 

 2- The state, in its planning of public utilities, takes into account the needs of the elderly, and works to encourage civil society organizations to participate in caring for the elderly.

 

 

 

 3- The state granted a security pension to the elderly from the age of 65 years old or to those who suffer from a disability or a chronic disease who have no income and do not receive an insurance pension, in addition to establishing care homes for the elderly and opening day care clubs for them. Besides, launching a written document on the rights of the elderly in cooperation with civil society organizations.

 

 

 

 4- Spreading electronic culture mechanisms in elderly centers, to create self-culture in the easiest way, as well as providing the General Authority for Adult Education the opportunity for the elderly to continue education in the preparatory and secondary stages, up to university education.

 

 

 

 5- Expanding the social protection programs granted to the elderly, increasing the financial allocations available to government social care institutions, strengthening their inspection, and enhancing the elderly's access to appropriate health care.

 

 

 

6- Enable the elderly to participate in public life and enhance their participation in the formulation of their own policies, and to organize an annual community dialogue aimed at identifying gaps, areas of interest, and appropriate means of interaction with older persons’ issues. It also aims to enhancing their access to education, their participation in cultural life, and legal aid. In addition to this, facilitating their access to means of litigation, and encouraging the expansion of the establishment of care homes for the elderly.

 

 

 

7- Providing the elderly with integrated health care rights, facilitating the payment of pensions, and providing a companion for the elderly in his home.

 

 

 

8- Partial exemption from transportation tickets and others.

 

 

 

9 - The right to psychological care and rehabilitation for the elderly.

 

 

 

10- Establishing a fund in the Ministry of Social Solidarity called “The Elderly Care Fund”, which will have a public legal personality, report to the competent ministry, and be under the supervision of the Prime Minister. The fund’s board of directors may establish other branches for it in the governorates.