Finance Minister AMA Muhith on Monday urged the authorities concerned to fix 65 years as the threshold age for senior citizens instead of the existing 60 years.
"It should not be 60 years, but at least 65 years to regard someone as a senior citizen," he said at a contract signing ceremony of the country's first ever resort for senior citizens at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, Dhaka.
The resort named “Oboshor” would be jointly developed by the Department of Social Services under the Social Welfare Ministry and Universal Medical College and Hospital Ltd in Sreemangal, Moulvibazar, under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative.
The resort would be developed for elderly parents who live alone. Universal Medical College Hospital Chairman Priti Chakraborty and Department of Social Services Director General Gazi Mohammad Nurul Kabir signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides.
According to the blueprint, the resort complex would provide 100 secure residences, a specialized hospital with 50 beds, open field and other facilities. Residents of the resort would have ample space and opportunities to engage in multiple activities with other residents.
They would also have the opportunity to mingle with visitors and guests who come to spend vacations at the resort, organizers said at the event.
Universal Medical College and Hospital Managing Director Dr Ashis Kumar Chakraborty said that changing trend of our society was resulting in many elderly parents being left alone to live without their children.
“The aim of this medical resort is to provide a solution to this growing problem,” he said.
Among others, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, State Minister for Finance MA Mannan, and State Minister for Social Welfare Nuruzzaman Ahmed, were also present at the event.
