President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc with delegates from the Việt Nam Association of the Elderly. — VNA/VNS Photo Lâm Khánh

HÀ NỘI — President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc hosted a reception in Hà Nội yesterday for outstanding members of the Việt Nam Association of the Elderly. The event marked the 30th anniversary of the International Day for the Elderly (October 1st) and the Action Month for the Vietnamese elderly in 2021.

Speaking at the meeting, President Phúc extended his best wishes to delegates and Vietnamese elderly across the country, on behalf of the Party and State. 

President Phúc praised the important contributions made by the Việt Nam Association of the Elderly throughout every period of the country’s history, especially in their protection of Việt Nam's sovereignty and the nation’s socio-economic development.  

He also complimented the practical and meaningful activities of the Elderly Association at all levels. Together with the political system, they helped create better living conditions for the elderly. 

Phúc attributed successes in the fight against COVID-19 to the efforts of the entire system and people from all walks of life, including the elderly. 

He also instructed authorities, and society in general, to take responsibility for providing good care to the aged, particularly in building the National Action Programme on the elderly in Việt Nam, in the period of 2021-2030.

At the grassroots level, greater efforts should be made to develop healthcare establishments for the elderly, supported by policies to uphold their role in society, he noted.

Việt Nam now has 11.4 million elderly individuals, 9.7 million of them are members of the Elderly Association, according to Chairwoman of the Việt Nam Association of the Elderly, Phạm Thị Hải Chuyền.

Every year the association cooperates with the health sector to provide healthcare, health counselling and periodic examinations for millions of elderly people.

In the period of 2021-2030, the Elderly Association will focus on strengthening protection and care for the elderly, as well as promoting their important role in society. The Intergenerational Self-Help Club model, a community-based organisation, will promote health longevity through a variety of inter-generational activities. — VNS