At a March 17 meeting, the city’s health department said elderly care has expanded, with 12 hospitals now having geriatric units and all facilities prioritising patients aged 80 and above.
Community-based support has also grown, with 102 clubs and volunteer groups assisting more than 4,000 elderly people in difficult circumstances.
The city’s healthcare system handles 5-6 million outpatient visits and 320,000-380,000 inpatient cases annually, with primary care playing a growing role in managing chronic diseases among the elderly.
A non-communicable disease management programme, based on World Health Organisation guidelines, has been rolled out across all 168 local health stations, improving monitoring of conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.
Despite progress, officials said public facilities remain limited, with 16 social welfare centres, 12 caring for about 6,000 elderly, falling short as seniors make up around 11 per cent of the population.
Under a draft plan, the city aims to build more than 30 care facilities via public, private and PPP models, alongside 168 community care points, with about 2,500 workers to be trained in geriatric care.
The plan promotes a four-tier model prioritising home and community care while strengthening specialised services, alongside measures to expand private investment, pilot long-term care insurance and apply technology.
The plan promotes a four-tier model prioritising home and community care while strengthening specialised services, alongside measures to expand private investment, pilot long-term care insurance and apply technology.
However, experts say key bottlenecks remain, including limited planning, land access and incentives, while high costs, long payback periods and a shortage of geriatric staff persist.
