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Message in conjunction with the International Day of Older Persons 2021

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Health of senior citizens is given special priority in facing the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 39 thousand senior citizens or 87 per cent of the total senior citizen population in Brunei Darussalam have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This shows that senior citizens have given their support towards the Government's efforts in curbing COVID-19 in the country, and other senior citizens are welcomed to get the vaccine. In a message in conjunction with the International Day of Older Persons 2021, Yang Berhormat Retired Major General Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports said that despite facing challenges of the current situation, the people of Brunei have and continue to show growing concern for the elderly especially those in need of additional support.

According to Yang Berhormat, the ageing rate in Brunei Darussalam is increasing, with those aged 60 and above are estimated to make up 28 point 7 per cent from the total population in 2025. In line with the objectives of the Plan of Action on the Elderly, the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam with the strong support from private and non-government organisations, has and continues to emphasise the welfare and the well-being of the elderly in the country.

The Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has consented for the Old Age Pension and Disability Allowances Act (Amendment), 2021 and the Persons with Disabilities Order, 2021 to be effective from the 1st of October 2021. Apart from updating the eligibility requirements to receive old age pension, the amended Old Age Pension and Disability Allowances Act also provides additional benefits to the elderly with disabilities who are eligible to receive old age pension in addition to the disability allowance. With the concerted Whole-of-Nation efforts of government agencies, grassroots leaders and volunteers, efforts to curb the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic also continue to be highlighted through the improvement of Old Age Pension distribution process via drive-thru and direct to banks, which have given a very high impact to the elderly.

This year's theme 'Digital Equity for All Ages' is highly relevant to the new reality that is now based on digital technology following the COVID-19 pandemic situation in the country. Senior citizens in Brunei Darussalam are not only able to adapt to the use of technology, they have also taken their own initiatives to maximise the use of digital technology to carry out a variety of highly beneficial activities.

Source: Radio Television Brunei