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Our Correspondent
Mokokchung, Oct. 29 (EMN): Good Samaritan Women Society, in collaboration with the District Welfare Officer and Aonglar Women Welfare Society, organised an awareness programme on Elder line –toll free No. 14567, a national helpline for senior citizens (NHSC) at Longkumer Kilem in Mokokchung on October 29.
Resource person and NHSC programme manager, Neithonuo Liegise, informed that the national helpline for senior citizens elder line –toll free No- 14567 was launched by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE), National Institute of Social Defence (NISD) and the respective state governments through the department of Social Welfare with an objectives to expeditiously attend to the complaints and grievances of the senior citizens.
In Nagaland, the State Good Samaritan Women Society is the implementing agency.
Liegise informed that its mission was to make a positive difference in the lives of senior citizens by creating a reliable national helpline, which would act as a platform for redressing their grievances as well as provide necessary information and intervention through a collective efforts of highly committed partners including the government agencies, non-profit organisations and volunteers.
She further informed that the state helpline consisted of a connect centre (call centre) operational from Monday-Sunday (8 am – 8 pm). The services provided through the helpline are information related to elder care service providers, old age pension, government schemes and benefits based on caller’s requirement.
The helpline would also guide senior citizens on legal and pension related issues and also offer emotional support such as counselling, she added.
On direct field intervention (by field response officers along with partner stakeholders), she said that the helpline team would also facilitate rescue of homeless senior citizens and arrange for temporary accommodation at Old Age Homes managed by NGO or government run facilities. She further added that the helpline team would assist senior citizens in getting their abuse complaint resolved through the maintenance tribunal or with the help of other stakeholders.
Another resource person and NHSC connect leader, Kevitsonuo, highlighted the role and responsibility of major stakeholders both government agencies and NGO to address senior citizen’s requirements through the helpline.
Dr. S Akaba Longchar, retired chief medical officer of Mokokchung, also spoke on behalf of the senior citizen. He advocated proper healthcare service for the senior citizens, who need constant medical care of lifestyle diseases and elderly related care.
Meanwhile, a similar programme was also held at People’s College, Mokokchung, where students were sensitised about the Elder line –toll free no. 14567.