According to ECLAC diagnoses, Venezuela is one of the Latin American countries where people (of all ages) have to incur higher “out-of-pocket expenses” to receive health care. 45% of the elderly Venezuelans face difficulties in acquiring essential medicines; a percentage that rises two points when it comes to women
The lack of public policies to include the segment of citizens over 60 years of age is evident in the problems in accessing health services, reveals the last cycle of the Population Aging in Venezuela (Enpoven) investigation, prepared by the Civil Association Invitation.
The study detailed that 22% of the elderly do not receive care in any health service, while those who can access it (55%) do so through outpatient clinics or low or moderate cost clinics.
“If decisions are not made in Venezuela at the level of the State, government and society, which allow aging to be placed on the urgent agenda and begin to move towards a dignified aging policy, those of us who are aging will do so in the same condition of precariousness that exists at the moment”, assured Francelia Ruiz, director of Proyectos de Convite.
On average, 45% of Venezuelan seniors face difficulties in acquiring essential medicines; a percentage that rises two points when it comes to women. In addition, only 21% can buy any of the prescribed drugs.
Hypertension, venous insufficiency and heart disease are the most common diseases among the elderly, according to the study. In addition, there is a high incidence of depressive disorders as causes of disability.
Francelia Ruiz pointed out that, although the shortage of medicines has been reduced, the high cost makes it almost impossible for the elderly to cover the treatments for these ailments.
According to ECLAC diagnoses, Venezuela is one of the Latin American countries where people (of all ages) have to incur higher “out-of-pocket expenses”, when these should be covered by the public system or some insurance, to receive health care.
Older adults, discriminated against and without resources
The researcher María Alejandra Barrientos highlighted, based on the data provided by the investigation, that Venezuela has already lost its demographic bonus and it is necessary to abandon the erroneous thought that this is a country of young people.
According to the statistics compiled by Convite, in Venezuela there are 3,599,000 citizens over the age of 60, which means that 12% of the population is aged and it is estimated that by 2050 this will increase to 20%, that is, about seven million people.
“Population aging has accelerated due to the crisis, which has led to a massive migration of young people,” said the expert.
*Read also: Older adults: dependent on others and returning to the labor market to survive
The Enpoven also reaffirms that seven out of 10 older adults are economically dependent on others, so if that third party fails, the older adult collapses.
48% of those surveyed said that it was their family that helped them cover their expenses and 25% said that they depended on remittances sent by someone.
It also highlights the digital divide faced by older people, considered a form of age discrimination that leaves them outside the progress of society. In the country, only 32% of older adults say they have access to the Internet.
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