Minister of Population and Family Development Wihaji said on Monday that his ministry has prepared the Lansia Berdaya (Empowered Elderly) program, noting that 12 percent of Indonesia's 286 million people are elderly.
He said the country's aging population marks a demographic shift that must be addressed through integrated policies focused on health, welfare, and empowerment.
Wihaji said the Lansia Berdaya program is a key strategy to improve elderly well-being by helping seniors remain healthy, active, independent, and productive.
The program includes health checks, family-based mentoring, senior schools, senior entrepreneur initiatives, and senior cards to support activities during the demographic transition.
At the same meeting, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin stressed the need for coordinated policies to respond to Indonesia's aging trend.
"Indonesian families are shifting into old age. We must develop a joint policy to manage these elderly people," he said.
State health insurer BPJS Kesehatan CEO Ali Ghufron Mukti said his office spends about Rp42 trillion (US$2.52 billion) each year on elderly-related programs.
He said Prolanis helps improve the quality of life of elderly patients with chronic illnesses such as hypertension and diabetes.
The government also plans to expand the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program for the elderly next year, targeting 100,000 beneficiaries.
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Translator: Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Anton Santoso
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