The National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) has called for the immediate implementation of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Senior Citizens Act, 2014, urging provincial authorities, public hospitals and district administrations to ensure that older people receive their legally guaranteed healthcare, welfare and social protection entitlements.
The Commission has approached the Secretary Health, Secretary Social Welfare, Medical Teaching Institutions (MTIs) and all Deputy Commissioners across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, seeking coordinated action to address longstanding gaps in the implementation of the law.
Calls for Dedicated Facilities in Hospitals
NCHR has called for the establishment of dedicated senior citizens’ facilitation desks, preferential treatment, separate queues and geriatric care facilities in government hospitals, including major teaching institutions and district headquarters hospitals.
The Commission has also urged the Social Welfare Department to reactivate the Provincial Senior Citizens Welfare Council, operationalise the Senior Citizens Welfare Fund and expedite the issuance of senior citizen cards to facilitate access to statutory benefits.
NCHR Highlights Concerns Raised by Older People
Rizwan Ullah Shah, Provincial Coordinator, NCHR, said the Commission took up the matter following concerns raised by older people and civil society organisations, particularly the Senior Citizens Forum Peshawar, which highlighted issues related to healthcare access, welfare services and the non-implementation of the law.
“The Senior Citizens Forum Peshawar has brought serious concerns regarding healthcare access, welfare services and non-implementation of the law to our attention. These issues demand coordinated institutional action.”
He said NCHR was engaging relevant departments to ensure that the rights guaranteed under the Senior Citizens Act were translated into practical services.
“Reactivating the Senior Citizens Welfare Council and strengthening accountability at provincial and district levels are essential,” he added.
Civil Society Welcomes NCHR Intervention
Qamar Naseem, Programme Manager at Blue Veins, welcomed NCHR’s intervention and appreciated the Commission’s proactive role in advancing the rights of older people.
He said NCHR’s engagement with provincial departments, public hospitals and district administrations was an important step towards ensuring that the rights guaranteed under the Senior Citizens Act were translated into practical action.
He added that human rights institutions have an important role in strengthening institutional accountability, monitoring implementation and holding duty bearers responsible for fulfilling their legal obligations.
Qamar Naseem further stressed the need to give particular attention to older women, saying their voices, experiences and leadership should help shape policies, services and accountability mechanisms affecting their lives.