THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Government will conduct a high-level inquiry into the functioning of old age homes in the state. This was announced by Chief Minister in the Assembly on Tuesday, when former social justice minister M.K. Muneer drew attention to the shocking plight of the elderly in certain privately-run old age homes in the state in a Calling Attention motion. According to Muneer, a survey by an independent agency has even revealed instances of sexual exploitation of the elderly inmates of such institutions.
The incidents referred to by Muneer had taken place in institutions run by private parties. When social justice minister K.K. Shylaja asked more about the ‘independent report’, Muneer said that he would willingly hand over the survey report to the government for further action. The minister, however, said that the government had not received any such complaints.
“But we have to accept that such things are happening,” Shylaja said. Nonetheless, she said various procedural violations related to homes for the elderly had come to the notice of the government. The minister, even while saying that she would look into the issue, said that the government was planning to frame guidelines for old-age homes. Periodical inspections and modernisation of government-run homes also were on the cards, she said.
There are 577 old age homes registered in the state, including 16 run by the government. The minister said that the government also planned to introduce guidelines and a number of schemes for the welfare of the elderly citizens.The 'Vayomitram' scheme for healthcare will be extended to all municipalities, she said. Hospitals will be made 'elderly-friendly' by opening wards for elderly citizens, she said, adding that a team would be constituted for framing guidelines for their welfare.
