By Foday Moriba Conteh
In commemorating the country’s 60th Independence Anniversary and in strengthening their advocacy towards the welfare of the aged in the country, Dorwontony Organization for the Aged (DOFA) on Saturday 24th April, 2021 held a symposium for the aged on the theme: “Changing the Narrative for the Aged in the post COVID-19 Era”. The event was held at the 50/50 Group conference hall, Tower Hill in Freetown.
Making her statement, Chief Executive Officer of Dorwontony Organization for the Aged (DOFA), Doreen Barrie, noted that in spite of all the challenges facing Sierra Leone alongside other countries in this COVID-19 global pandemic, they are thankful to God almighty that the country has attained 60 years of Independence.
“But what does this mean for our aged population; one may be tempted to ask”. She went on to state that the last Population and Housing Census in Sierra Leone in 2015 revealed that 3.5% of the population is within the age 65 and above of which 47.4% are male and 52.6% female and that life expectancy at birth for males stands at 55.0 years while that of female stands at 56.8 years, while the average life expectancy for both male and female stands at 55.9 years.
She maintained that this is a very scary phenomenon; and all the more reason for the symposium to discuss issues around the elderly/aged people and their health and welfare, adding that this could not have come at a better time.
Doreen Barrie pointed out that studies around the COVID-19 as maintained by Health practitioners, have revealed that the elderly/aged are most vulnerable; and that the number of deaths within the age bracket of 45 and above around the world, speaks clearly, thus endorsing claims by our health practitioners that the virus kills elderly people more than it does the young.
The CEO applauded the Government of Sierra Leone and all stakeholders who have participated effectively in the fight against the Corona Virus Disease to the point where they can happily and conveniently say that the death rate within the aged population in this country, is not as high as in other parts of the world, and that this is all the more reason why their discussions should be tailored around what they need to do; not only as organizations caring for the elderly/aged, but as a people whose responsibility is to take care of those who took care of them at a
time when they needed all the love and care in order to grow up better and be able to give back to society.
She maintained that the country is gradually conquering COVID-19; and the country has been rated high in terms of their strides to control and eradicate this deadly virus of which she said they need to look beyond COVID-19 in terms of what they need to do to keep the aged population safe and healthy.
Doreen Barrie ended by thanking all present to help give meaning to the lives of aged people; and to continue the efforts of advocating and reaching out on their behalf so that they can all raise great awareness around their plight and their diverse needs.
Executive Director Campaign for Good Governance, Marcella Samba, applauded Dorwontony Organization for the Aged (DOFA) for their strive towards the welfare of the aged in the country.
She described the symposium as very timely in addressing issues of the aged in the country, adding that such an event helps provide information on how to package the advocacy strategy in changing the narrative for the aged in the post COVID-19 era.
She noted that this is not only happening in insolation but happening at a time when Sierra Leone is clocking 60 years of Independence.
Representing the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Thomas Kamara expressed his appreciation to Dorwontony Organization for the Aged (DOFA) and its partners for organizing such a laudable event on the theme: “Changing the Narrative for the Aged in the Post COVID-19 Era”.
He revealed that the Ministry of Labour is charged with the responsibility to look at issues around social security of which he said the aged is part of their constituent, adding that as a Ministry they have a scheme that caters for the aged.
Thomas Kamara said that the COVID-19 pandemic poses series of challenges including economic setbacks, and adverse health on the aged, adding that the emergence of COVID-19 has caused serious upheaval across the world considering the higher risks confronted by elderly people.
He disclosed that in addressing the negative effects of COVID-19 in the country especially with regard the aged, Government through the Ministry of Labor and Social Security provided emergency cash transfers to vulnerable aged persons across the country.
