Brazzaville, 6 April 2012 -- African governments should adopt good policies on ageing and health in order to facilitate the continued positive contribution by the elderly to the development process in the region.

This call is contained in a message issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Sambo, on the occasion of World Health Day (WHD).

WHD 2012 will be observed across the globe on Saturday (7 April) under the theme Ageing and Health and with the slogan Good health adds more life to years.

Dr Sambo said in his message: "The elderly in Africa have always been revered as the source of wisdom and guardians of beneficial cultural practices, family unity and identity. They continue to play a pivotal role in the care and support of children. In return, the young and adults take care of the elderly as part of the African extended family. This reciprocal relationship of care and support between the elderly and young is a hallmark and should be promoted as a key component of achieving healthy ageing".

The Regional Director also alluded to some of the challenges facing today's senior citizens: migration of the youth abroad or to urban areas leaving the elderly alone in the rural areas; unpredictable weather patterns resulting in reduced food production and nutrition among vulnerable populations including children and the elderly; natural and man-made disasters which impact negatively on the health and well-being of the elderly as well as the risk of chronic diseases and disability for persons who live longer.

To address these and other challenges, the Regional Director underscored the importance of Governments and communities to be more involved in promoting healthy ageing.

He also pointed out that the private sector had a role to play in "adding life to years" of the elderly by ensuring the availability, affordability and accessibility to products that improve the quality life of the elderly.

Ageing has become a major challenge in the 21st century because of the need to respond to an increasing demand for health services as the life expectancy of people around the world has continued to increase. According to WHO, the African Region has witnessed a rapidly increasing number of elderly persons aged 60 years and above since 1985.

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For more information, please contact:

Dr Davison Munodawafa, +47-241-39476 ; Email: munodawafad [at] afro.who.int

Sam Ajibola +47-24139378 E-mail: Ajibolas [at] afro.who.int