AUICK Newsletter No.48 City Report and Action Plan

AUICK Second 2006 Workshop

City Report and Action Plan - Chittagong

Mr. Mohammed Nasim Bhuiya
Project Manager,
Partnership Agreement-3,
Second Urban Primary Healthcare Project,
Health Department, Chittagong City Corporation
Bangladesh

CONTENTS

1. City Report

2. Action Plan

2.1. Identification of Problems or Issues
2.2. Objectives to be Achieved
2.3. Proposed Actions to Achieve Objectives
2.4. Monitoring
2.4. Action Plan Flow Chart

1. City Report

Chittagong’s total population in 2005 was 3.79 million. It has grown very rapidly in the past half century, from only 430,000 in 1950. Both natural increase and increase in migration contributed to this growth. The result was a growth of the young population; in 1970 the 0-14 age group was 44 percent of the population and the aged (65 and over) were a mere 3 percent. Since 1970 the Total Fertility Rate has declined remarkably from 6.1 to 1.60, well below replacement level. This implies a decline in the young population to 31 percent and a rise in the aged to 6 percent. The current age structure gives Chittagong a window of opportunity as the dependent age populations are at a low point. The aged will increase, but are expected to be still only 11 percent of the population in 2050.

Currently, the aged do not constitute a major problem. They are small in proportion and for the most part can be cared for by the family, where strong family ties imply high value on caring for parents in their old age. Nonetheless, the city government expresses a rising concern for the problem of ageing, recognizing that institutions must be put in place now for the eventual increase of the aged. Both health and welfare schemes are being developed. The 41 ward health centers and city hospitals are turning attention to the aged. A night school has been established for the aged, a pension system for the poor aged in 41 wards was put into place this year and there are plans for building old people’s homes. Non-governmental Organizations (such as the Probhin Hitoshi Sanga) are emerging and drawing attention to the future problems.

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2. Action Plan

2.1. Identificaiton of Problems or Issues

Communities' attitudes and behaviour towards aged people.
Lack of awareness about the aging issue among people and policy makers.
Family and community support.
Absence of laws and ordinances for the welfare of older people.
Absence of adequate plans and implementation strategies for the aged.
Lack of social awareness regarding rehabilitation of the aged.

2.2. Objectives to be Achieved

There is a serious lack of information on the situation of ageing population. Thus, efforts will be directed toward data collection, analysis, and dissemination among policy makers and the community, to increase awareness regarding aged people and to ultimately establish an aging unit.
The major focus is on the policy considerations, and to identify the issues for policies and programs.
The main purpose of our city executives is to investigate the existing policies in operation, and decide what are feasible policy interventions to be considered for the welfare of the elderly population.

2.3. Proposed Actions to Achieve Objectives

The main purpose is to use the media to create awareness about the problems of the aged among the public and policy makers.

Report and present action plan to offices, January to February 2007.
Consult with colleagues regarding action plan for ageing people, February to March 2007.
Conuslt with experts in city and universities about ageing population issues, by arranging workshops and seminars, March to May 2007.
Data collection for analysis, May to August, 2007.
Reviewing the data analysis, August to October 2007.
Public dissemination of data analysis by arranging press conferences, meetings and seminars, November to December 2007.
Policy recommendation to Honorable Mayor and General body of the Chittagong City Corporation, November to December 2007.
Policy and programme formulation, February to March 2008.
Establishment of aging unit, February to March 2008.

2.4. Monitoring

A monitoring cell will be established to monitor the activities.
The Monitoring cell will be comprised of local leaders, especially ward commissioners, local elites, university professors, teachers, retired officials, social workers and religious leaders.
The monitoring cell will monitor the activities regularly.

2.5. Action Plan flow Chart

Action Plan Flow Chart

Chittagong Action PLan Flow Chart

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