The government has acknowledged that funds for centres that take care of aged people in the country were small, but hastened to add that the amount was increased in the 2013/14 financial year.
The Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Hussein Mwinyi
The Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Hussein Mwinyi said his ministry had to reduce budget allocation from some areas to increase funds for centres that take care of aged people in the country.
The Minister, who was responding to a supplementary question in the House, asked the MPs to be patient until his ministry tables its budget estimates when they will be able to know how much and which areas the money came from.
In her supplementary question, Ms Diana Chilolo (Special Seats-CCM) wanted to know when the government would increase the amount of funds to centres taking care of old people.
Responding to the basic question from Ms Elizabeth Batenga (Special Seat) the Deputy Minister Dr Seif Rashid said the government through his ministry, manages 17 centres, including Kilima in Kagera Region, that take care of old people in the country. He added that there are other 24 centres managed by volunteer agencies.
He said Kiilima has a total of 30 people out of whom 17 live with disabilities and 13 are children attending school. Dr Rashid said the budget for the centres in 2012/13 was 67.5m/- which is equal to 5.6m/- in a month. From July 2012 to March 2013 the government disbursed a total of 24.2m/- out of the amount 22.9m/- was for food expenses and 1.4m/- for running the centres.
He explained that monthly disbursement was; July 2012, 2.5m/-, September 8.5m/-, February 20113, .6m/-, March 1.3m/- and April 10.4m/-. Dr Rashid explained that in the next financial year 2013/14 the government plans to rehabilitate residential buildings of the old people including those of Kiilima.
A total of 150m/- has been set aside for rehabilitation through the development budget, that will include rehabilitation of two dormitories, five workers’ quarters and a kitchen. In his basic question Ms Batenga wanted to know how much the government sets aside for centres for old people in the country, and its plans to rehabilitate structures in the centre.
Meanwhile, the government is finalising legal processes to start paying old people pension of 20,000/- that had been promised by Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda. Responding to a supplementary question from Mr Joseph Selasini (Rombo – Chadema), the Miniter of State (Policy Cordination and Parliamentary Affairs), Mr William Lukuvi said the government was willing to fulfil its promise to pay 20,000/- every month to old people in the country.
Mr Lukuvi explained in the House that the government was finalizing legal procedures on how to implement the decision. “The government is willing to pay the money, however, there are some legal procedures that have to be put in place before implementing the directive issued by Prime Minister Pinda,” he explained.
He said the government has not forgotten its promise to the elderly in the country, but it was still preparing modalities that will allow payment of the 20,000/- pension promised by the Prime Minister last year. Mr Selasini in his supplementary question sought to know when the government will start implementing Prime Minister Pinda’s promise of paying 20,000/-monthly pensions to the elderly in the country.
Source Tanzania Daily News
