In Delhi on an average there are about two aged persons per 10 households, and about 71.75 per cent of them are in the age bracket of 60-69 years. This was revealed by the Social Consumption on Health Report 71st, based on data collected between January and July 2014, released recently.
“The old-age dependency ratio in Delhi was higher in rural areas than in urban centres, which was in contrast with the trends at the national level. In urban areas, every 1,000 persons in the age-group of 15-59 years provide support, physically or otherwise, to 69 aged persons. The living arrangement describes the physical well-being of the aged. About 97.95 per cent of the aged are living with their spouses and children,” said the survey.
About 5.23 per cent of the aged persons were either confined to their homes or bed. As many as 48.29 per cent of the aged depend on others for their day-to-day needs.
The situation is worse for elderly women with 51.85 per cent being economically fully dependant. Men were much better off as only 20.08 per cent were fully dependant on others for their living.
Births
In Delhi, of the total estimated child birth cases, 62.48 per cent were reported in public hospitals and maximum number of child birth (33.95 per cent) were reported for mothers in the age group of 20-24 years, closely followed by mothers in the age group of 25-29 years.
Average total medical expenditure incurred per child birth in Delhi came to Rs.11,098 in rural areas compared to all-India average of Rs. 5,544.
The survey also found that private hospitals provided free ward facility in only 0.95 per cent of the total cases of hospitalisation in Delhi.
The social consumption survey was aimed at generating basic quantitative information on the health sector. For the first time in a National Sample Survey health study, the data collected had enabled assessment of the role of alternative system of medicine in respect of prevalence of use, cost of treatment and type of ailments covered.
In Delhi out of the total ailing persons – about 9.86 persons opted for AYUSH treatment.
