Stern action must be taken against corrupt officials of old age home

According to the latest data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the number of senior citizens in the country is more than 15 million.

However, there are not a lot of institutions to ensure their welfare and security. As per the National Policy on Older Persons, 2013, people aged 60 years and above are elderly.

With a view to protecting the welfare and interests of the elderly citizens, Bangladesh Association for the Aged and Institute of Geriatric Medicine (BAAIGM) was established in 1960.

Medicine expert professor AKM Abdul Wahed had established this institute at his Dhanmondi residence in the capital. Currently, there is a 50-bed Geriatric Hospital and Institute of Geriatric Medicine (IGM) in the Probin Bhaban at Agargaon and a 50-bed geriatric home at an adjoining building. There are 36 residents in the home. The home is being run with subsidies.

The association for the aged and the gerontology institute were managed by an elected committee consisting of senior members. On February 6 last year, the Department of Social Services appointed Muktar Hossain (joint secretary), director of the social security branch of the department, as an administrator of the institute on the complaint of irregularities.

The question is whether the committee leaders have spent the subsidy money on the welfare of the elderly people or for themselves. It needs to be thoroughly investigated.

What could be more unfortunate, if the committee made up of elderly people for the welfare of elderly gets involved in irregularities and corruption? Why would that be? The institution for the elderly is not safe in the hands of people who get involved in irregularities.

In that case, it was a right decision that the Department of Social Services cancelled the committee and appointed an administrator there. But this institution cannot run indefinitely with an administrator.

Allegedly the BAAIGM at Agargaon in the capital is on the verge of destruction due to internal disputes and various irregularities and corruption and whim of some people.

A report by a four-member committee formed by the government on March 28 last year also spoke about irregularities and the sorry state of the institution registered under the Department of Social Services.

The investigation committee found the allegations of recruitment of staff through various irregularities and corruption and sexual harassment against an official true.

An institution formed for the welfare of the elderly people cannot be allowed to be destroyed like this.

Stern measures must be needed to stop cooperation for the wellbeing of the elderly people.