Seminar on ‘Responding to Global Challenge of an Ageing Population – An International Perspective’ o

Monday, 6 March 2017 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A seminar on ‘Responding to Global Challenge of an Ageing Population – An International Perspective’ will be held at the BMICH on 9 March.

This seminar is the outcome of an initiative taken by Senior Eisenhower Fellow Dr. Godfrey Gunatilleke (EF 1970 MNP), Director Gamani Corea Foundation of Sri Lanka in conjunction with Eisenhower Fellow Dayananda Gunawardena, (EF 1986 MNP Sri Lanka) and is sponsored by the Gamani Corea Foundation and supported by the Eisenhower Foundation and Sri Lanka Association of Geriatric Medicine.

Population ageing is a major issue affecting the whole world. Although the rate of increase in the total population of countries has slowed down, because of increased life expectancy and reduction in child mortality and female fertility rates, more and more people are surviving to an old age. Within the ageing group, there will be staggering increases of the very old (80+).

The result is that the balance between people of working age and the elderly is undergoing a dramatic change. The largely income generating workforce is reduced while the high resource consuming older population is increased. These changes are expected and therefore measures can be taken to meet the challenge with sensible forward planning.

Sri Lanka is one of the fastest-ageing countries in the world, with the proportion of the population aged 60 years or older projected to increase from 12.5% currently to 16.7% in 2021. In the UK it is currently around 17.7%. An estimated one in four Sri Lankans will be elderly by the year 2041 which is the same as the UK projection for 2044. In Japan, 30% of the population are already over 60. In a new study published in The Lancet this year, researchers predict that average life expectancy will reach beyond 90 years for South Korean women by 2030.

Low fertility and extended life expectancies are expected to continue, with potentially severe economic implications due to rapidly rising pension and health and social care costs. The changes will affect both the State and private sector.

The seminar will be moderated by Chevaan Daniel, Eisenhower Fellow 2017 MNP Sri Lanka and Group Director, The Capital Maharaja Organisation Ltd. The key speaker is Dr. Mahendra Gonsalkorale, retired Consultant in Geriatric Medicine, Past Clinical Director Salford Royal Hospitals NHS Trust and Associate Lecturer in Geriatric Medicine, University of Manchester. Dr. Gonsalkorale will present the International Perspective.

Joining him in the Panel will be Dr. Dilhar Samaraweera, Consultant Physician and President of SLAGM (Sri Lanka Association of Geriatric Medicine) and Dr. Shiromi Waduge, Consultant Community Physician, Convenor of the Elderly Care National Steering Committee. They will present the Sri Lankan perspective. A discussion will follow on realistic measures that could be undertaken to meet this challenge without lowering the quality of life and dignity of old people while avoiding unfair strains on younger people. This will be followed by a Q&A session.

It is hoped that this seminar will lead to more public awareness of this important issue and further discussion on future measures appropriate for Sri Lanka.