(UDHAYAM, COLOMBO) – National Elderly Health policy presented by Minister of Health and Indigenous medicine Dr. Rajitha Senaratna was approved by the cabinet of ministers.
The reason to present this policy was the increase in elder population due to the increased expected life time and decrease in child births. Therefore it is essential to direct the elderly healthcare services to face this situation.
According to statistics the elder population over 60 years is at present 12% and by 2020 it is expected to increase to 16% and 29% by year 2050.