Policy Formulation

The government should facilitate the drafting, approval and implementation of the National Policy on Older People.  The government should create adequate budget to support effective policy implementation. The national policy should incorporate the issue of ageing and appropriate support mechanism to bring older people sector back into the mainstream of the government’s social and economic planning. Policies for employment, health, transport and social services should take into account the needs of the elderly. The older people, their families, communities and non-government organizations should be actively involved in research, planning and policy implementation on issues affecting the elderly. Bilateral and multilateral donors should take into account the needs and contributions of older people as a critical element in poverty reduction.

Policy formulation not included in the text.  The Action Plan matrix includes a $5 million programme of community-based support for elderly people.

Specifically, the policy should include support towards the formation of Older People’s Associations (OPAs) in all provinces of Cambodia, provision of basic health care services for the elderly, prevention and protection of older people against violence and trafficking, the establishment of adequate pension fund for retired civil workers, tax exemptions and subsidized transportation services for the elderly in Cambodia.

Not included.

Participation

Older people are a valuable resource, which government and non-government organizations should encourage, and empower to work together as partners in research, planning, management and evaluation of development programs.

Not included.

Rural Development

Government and NGOs should pursue programs and policies that will reduce rural poverty, foster equitable and geographically dispersed economic development, and increase employment opportunities in the countryside. A successful implementation of an integrated development program in the countryside will increase the capacity of immediate families and communities to care and support for the elderly sector.

Partly included. RGC will implement pro-poor strategies with focus on the rural areas. However, there is no recognition of the special needs of the elderly. 

Health Care

Health care reform, with the goal of ensuring competent, accessible and affordable health care are important steps towards improving the lives of older people in Cambodia. Government assistance should focus on community-based care rather than institutional care wherever possible. Community health programs should consider working with older people to spread information and provide follow-up care. Older people’s access to eye care, dental care and prosthesis should be improved.

Partly included. The aim of the RGC is to provide health care with high quality. In the text, it says that the health care provided by the RGC, should be available for all people in Cambodia and that there should be no discrimination by age. However, there is no special recognition of the special problems of the elderly.

HIV/AIDS

The government should encourage research on the impact if HIV/AIDS on the elderly sector in Cambodia, particularly in their role as principal carers of orphans and of adults with HIV/AIDS. The government should prepare the elderly sector towards their important role in responding to the HIV/AIDS epidemic through education of older people about the nature of HIV/AIDS and how to care for people with HIV/AIDS. The government should consider training traditional healers to become community educators on HIV/AIDS and other public health programs.

Partly included. There should be community-based healthcare education and specific programs for different population groups, but in the text there is no special focus on education programs for older people.

Gender

The government should develop policies that address the particular needs and vulnerabilities of men and women in their old age. The government should address issues resulting from women’s life-long disadvantages in health and nutrition and the prevention and protection of older people, especially women from physical and psychological violence. The government and non-government organizations should take positive steps to ensure that older women are not excluded in development programs.

Not included.