INAM : Celebration of the 5th edition of the « Universities of the 3rd Age » in Sokodé

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Extract from the article: The prefecture of Tchaoudjo hosted the 5th edition of the « Universities of the 3rd Age » on Thursday 7 March. The event is organised by the Institut National d'Assurance Maladie (INAM) with the support of the government and the partnership of social

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The prefecture of Tchaoudjo hosted the 5^th edition of the « Universities of the 3^rd Age » on Thursday 7 March. The event is organised by the Institut National d'Assurance Maladie (INAM) with the support of the government and the partnership of social protection bodies, civil society organisations working for the well-being of the elderly and senior citizens' associations.

The aim of the Universities of the 3rd Age is to create a framework for information, exchange and awareness-raising on the health and well-being of senior citizens, and to mobilise those involved in the 3rd Age for prevention and health promotion. The aim is to promote good health practices among the elderly, raise their awareness of diseases associated with old age and the dangers of using fake medicines. The aim is also to encourage senior citizens to promote peace and social cohesion within their communities, and to encourage them to share their experiences of the problems associated with an ageing population.

The theme of this year's event is « Keeping our promises to the elderly ». It calls on everyone involved to work to promote the rights of the elderly, in particular the right to information and health education.

The participants heard from panellists about the right diet for diabetics and hypertensives in their later years, and the dangers of using fake medicines and alcohol among the elderly. They were also given information on Universal Health Insurance (AMU), the role of the elderly in strengthening social cohesion, and the services provided by the National Health Insurance Fund (INAM) to cover the costs of health insurance for the elderly.

The prefect of Tchaoudjo, Col.Mompion Matéindou, stressed the importance of INAM in the lives of the elderly, ensuring access to healthcare, reducing medical costs and providing financial security. He also praised the efforts of the Head of State to promote the well-being of the elderly. « The Universities of the 3rd Age not only offer an opportunity to break away from monotony and isolation, but they are also an ideal setting for getting together, sharing experiences, raising awareness and, above all, listening to experts on the attitudes and behaviour that senior citizens should adopt to prolong their survival even further », he said.

The representative of the Director General of INAM, Dr Amoussou Kouété-Têko, pointed out that civil society organisations and institutions, in order to make their contributions to the government's actions, are also carrying out activities in the field to raise awareness of the situation of senior citizens.With this in mind, he said that INAM, which provides health care for 484,000 people, including more than 44,000 seniors, through the health insurance mechanism, initiated an event in 2017 called the « Universities of the 3^rd Age ». Dr Amoussou pointed out that this initiative, which is in line with the government's actions, is part of its policy of prevention and health promotion for these target groups in the context of the introduction of Universal Health Insurance (AMU). He pointed out that the elderly, who are more exposed to disease, are the first to benefit from health insurance, the advantages of which no longer need to be demonstrated.

Famah Ouro-Djobo, representing the elderly, thanked INAM and its partners for their initiative.He urged his senior peers to make the most of the exchanges to make their daily lives easier, while also putting into practice the advice given by the panelists to keep in better health despite their advanced age.

After Lomé, Kpalimé and Sokodé, the event was also held in Kara and Dapaong on 9 and 12 March respectively.

Source: ATOP