Thankful to #PENCOM for the bold PEN-CARE initiative— a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program jointly launched by the National Pension Commission (PenCom) and licensed Pension Fund Operators (PFOs), which is to provide free healthcare insurance to low-income retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) to protect them from high out-of-pocket medical. This is commendable.

However, we must join forces to build the care system. Coverage means little if the system doesn’t respond to the #actual needs of older persons.

Research shows that NCDs, stroke-related impairments, visual, cognitive, and mobility loss leave older persons extremely vulnerable. The result being that already burdened families spend out-of-pocket on medications, assistive devices, and home care management. Much more than on hospital visits.

What is needed is alignment ; a Universal Health Coverage which should integrate primary health with community and family-based long-term care within a life course framework. That is how we can reduce avoidable morbidity, restore functional ability, and deliver safe, dignified care. Respite for sick and frail older persons and family means a Health Coverage that can cover cost of #long-term #socialCare.

During my tenure as pioneer DG of NSCC 2021–2025, and in line with the National Plan of Action on Ageing, we laid that foundation: begining with efforts to map relevant stakeholders to implement ICOPE – Integrated Care for Older Persons with FMOH, NBTE, Nursing & Midwifery Council, some University Teaching hospitals with Geriatrics Units, as well as, State PHC agencies, WHO Nigeria, NHIA, and professional bodies in Geriatrics and Gerontology. With MOUs signed with FMOH and NBTE, TWGs set up, needs assessments and gap mapping completed

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The Geriatric Social Care Skills Sector is based on the National Skills Qualification framework regulated by NBTE. In collaboration with stakeholders, the National Occupational Standards Levels 1–5 developed for the training and certification of caregivers; the Geriatric Social Care National Quality Assurance Guidelines, SOPs for care facilities, and National accreditation benchmarks for training centers were developed.

Domiciliary ( home) care agency operators were upskilled with technical workshops faciltated by UN.DESA. The Association of Community Health Practitioners and retired nurses ( pilot FCT) were mobilization and sensitized towards upskilling for community-based geriatric social care extension services. With some training providers acquiring the QAA certification, the accreditation of the skilled workforce production system was set in motion. These are the elements for a sustainable quality assurance system. and the foundation for the #ALIGN PROJECT—integrating social care for older persons under UHC.

At the 79th World Health Assembly (#WHA79) in Geneva, #WHO, #France, #HelpAge International, and #IFA hosted a Side Event calling for “Investing in Healthy Ageing” as the foundation for population health. The ALIGN PROJECT +8 model was highlighted showing how a multisectoral, community-based approach to long-term care strengthens opportunities for Universal Health Coverage for all and, ageing with dignity.

CallToAction: The Federal and State Governments should adopt the ALIGN PROJECT as an implementable #manifesto for 2027.

Imagine PHC systems meeting older persons’ needs in the community, certified caregivers working with CHEWs trained in geriatric social care and functional referral pathways. Imagine family-based care actually supported, not abandoned.

Let’s reimagine health insurance to deliver care where older Nigerians actually live.

HealthyAgeing #UHC #LongTermCare #ICOPE #ALIGNProject #NBTE #NMCN #NPHCDA

#DaveOmokaroFoundation #AgeingPolicy #NHIA