DMO asked to prepare report on abandoned senior citizens

Action warned against those who leave parents on street

District Collector U.V. Jose has asked the District Medical Officer (DMO) to prepare a report on senior citizens who have been abandoned by their relatives at government hospitals in the district.

Chairing a meeting here on Monday, he said action would be initiated against those who leave their parents or relatives on the street or hospitals. The sub collector and the district social welfare officer had been asked to ensure that the laws for senior citizens were being properly enforced. Voluntary organisations would be asked to take care of those without family. Secretary of the district legal services authority and the district social welfare officer would be in charge of such people.

At govt. hospital

Pointing out that there were 16 destitute persons at the Government General Hospital, Kozhikode, Mr. Jose said that six of them were fit to be discharged and the rest were undergoing treatment. Some of their family members were reluctant to take them home.

He said the provisions of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, would be enforced against such people if they did not change their attitude. Representatives of non-governmental organisations such as Theruvinte Makkal, Red Cross India, and Home of Love expressed their willingness to adopt the destitute. M.K. Muneer, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, was present, among others.