Pharmacist Sam Gyang on Friday the 10th of December, 2021 called on the federal and Plateau state government to freely enroll aged persons into the NHIS and PLASCHEMA scheme to improve their health.

He said this is necessary and a worthy call for both levels of government to answer as part of their constitutional office responsibilities providing welfare and protection of lives and property.

Pharmacist Sam note that Nigerians still working, retired, unemployed, farmers, traders etc. from ages 50 and above should freely benefit from the scheme as that age marks the beginning of a diminishing immune system, hence support should be given by the government to ensure they live a normal quality life like any other Nigerian.

He admonishes law makers at various legislative houses from federal, state and LG to rise to the occasion by unanimously passing a bill to create aged peoples’ home/rehabilitation centers in all the LGs of the 36 states including the Federal Capital Territory. These centers will provide free medical and rehabilitation services alongside Psychosocial support for aged Nigerians. Initiation of such centers will also give hope, happiness and elongate the life of the aged.

Pharm. Sam suggested that 10% of the internally generated revenue of states should be channeled to the maintenance and running of the centers with a legislated amount from the federal government as support for the programmes backed by law: “I believe that at the kickoff of this initiative, other non – governmental organizations, philanthropists, specialists, unions, individuals etc will come for partnership and collaboration to making the programme effective”.