Kpalimé/5th edition of the « Universities of the 3rd Age »: working to promote the rights of the elderly

---

Extract from the article: Committed alongside the State and other partners to providing concrete responses to the problems of the elderly, since 2017 the National Institute of Health Insurance has initiated « Universities of the 3rd Age ». These universities are part of Togo'

---

Committed alongside the State and other partners to providing concrete responses to the problems of the elderly, since 2017 the National Institute of Health Insurance has initiated « Universities of the 3rd Age ». These universities are part of Togo's prevention and health promotion policy. The 2024 edition was launched in Lomé on 01 March. So after Lomé, it was the Hotel du 30 août in Kpalimé that hosted the 5ᵉ edition of the Universities of 3ᵉ Age on Monday 04 March 2024. The event took place in the presence of the Prefect of Kloto, Assan Koku Bertin and administrative authorities and traditional chiefs.

The population of the Western Plateaux was invited to work for the promotion of the rights of the elderly, in particular the right to information and education for health. More than a hundred elderly people came together to learn about the right attitudes and behaviours to adopt for better health.

A number of themes relating to the health of senior citizens were developed in the course of the presentations.  The information, awareness-raising and discussion activities focused on nutrition for diabetics and hypertensives in their 3rd year of life, and the dangers of using fake medicines and alcohol among the elderly.Other sub-topics included the care of the elderly by INAM.The roles and responsibilities of the elderly in strengthening social cohesion within communities were also discussed.

The head of the medical control and quality of care department, Dr Amoussou Kouétètè Têko, pointed out that a number of measures are being taken to help the elderly to integrate better into society and live decently. These include the construction and ongoing development of two retirement homes in Lomé and Kara, the establishment of a national council for the elderly, and ad hoc support for the elderly.

Matrévi Dogbé, representing the elderly, expressed his gratitude to INAM and the Togolese authorities for the meeting, which was organised to share practical advice and habits to help them live better and longer. He promises to put into practice all the advice and recommendations given to them.The large numbers of senior citizens welcomed the resumption of this event after a break of several years.They called on the authorities to continue their efforts to accelerate social inclusion in the country.The event was celebrated on 07 March at the Affaires Sociales in Sokodé, on 09 March at the Maison des Jeunes in Kara and on 12 March at the Hôtel Dapaong.

Source: INAM-Togo & ATOP