HelpAge International

13th May 2005

Older people treated with disrespect by hospital staff, says HelpAge International

Older people in Tanzania say medical staff in health centres often treat them disrespectfully by talking to them in a mocking tone. The findings are revealed at the end of the three year Older Citizen’s Monitoring project, set up to monitor older people’s access to health services - with successful results. Groups in Arusha and Dodoma have successfully lobbied local government to ensure free health care for all older people.

The project was launched in 2002 in two areas in the country, Arusha and Dodoma. It’s aim is to increase older people’s participation in gathering information, forming supporting networks, developing confidence and approaches in talking to governments, and challenging authorities about their rights, including access to basic services.

HelpAge International is simultaneously running similar projects in Bangladesh, Kenya, Bolivia and Jamaica. Partner organizations from all of these Older Citizen‘s Monitoring projects will meet next week (16 - 20 May) in Arusha to share their findings and experiences.

HelpAge International’s partners in the two projects are the Arusha Retired People’s Association (CHAWAMA) and SAWATA in Dodoma. Both these organisations and older people at village and ward levels, were trained to act as project facilitators. They were given training in leadership skills, information on Tanzanian policies, lobbying and advocacy skills, and how to gather evidence on health services. These facilitators then formed older people’s committees who took part in the monitoring process.

Older people in Tanzania are concerned about the quality of health care they receive, the cost of treatment and medicine, and the distance they travel to services. One older person was told by hospital staff, “Go home you are not ill just old.” As part of the project, they were asked to monitor and log their experiences during every hospital visit.

The findings revealed the following:

· 40 per cent said the tone of language used by medical staff was mocking.
· 94 per cent were charged for the consultation
· 30 per cent were not aware of how to apply for free health care.
· Over a third had to wait 4 to 6 hours to see a doctor.
· Under half had to pay for their own fare to get to the hospital.

As a result of the project and the involvement of older people in the monitoring process, local government in the "Mosquito River" ward, has granted free health treatment to all vulnerable older people.

Moduli district funds the free health service for older people through the Community Health Fund. Criteria for vulnerability include disability, severe health problems, and if an older person is living alone. The welfare committee at hamlet level makes the respective recommendation to the ward executive secretary, who then issues letters for these older people to grant them free access to the local health services. Once received the letter is valid for life.

The project has also given older people a sense of respect and many said they now felt that their concerns were being listened to. They also felt that the project created support for older people at local village level and other areas of concern could now be addressed.

“HelpAge Tanzania will continue to lobby national government in the run up to the elections, to ensure free health care for all older people in the country features on the agenda of any new government. The success in Moduli district has shown the lobbying power of older people and their desire to ensure that their needs are met,” says Abdul Jetha, Country Director of HelpAge Tanzania. “The Older Citizen’s Monitoring projects have enabled older people to monitor various poverty programmes, motivating them to claim their entitlements and become involved in consultation processes.”

Notes to Editors

A field trip to Arusha has been arranged by HelpAge Tanzania on Monday 16th May. Opportunities will exist to talk to case studies taking part in the Older Citizen’s Monitoring project. For further information, case studies and take part in field trip contact:

Suzie Isangya, Programme Officer, HelpAge Tanzania on [email protected]
Tel + 255 744 928409

In London
For further information and case studies contact
Faith Mall Media Officer, HelpAge International ([email protected] )
Tel +44 207 278 7778 x 286

Spokespersons
In Tanzania
Abdul Jetha, Country Director HelpAge Tanzania
[email protected]

Mussa Mgata, Project Officer, HelpAge Tanzania on [email protected]

Mark Gorman, Director of Development at HelpAge International
[email protected]

HelpAge International is a global network of not-for-profit organisations with a mission to work with and for disadvantaged older people worldwide to achieve a lasting improvement in the quality of their lives. Help the Aged provides funding to HelpAge International, and is a leading partner in this network.