Hans News Service Visakhapatnam

Onthe eve of the ‘World Senior Citizen Day’, observed on August 21, Care Hospitals launched ‘Pranaam’ in Visakhapatnam on Thursday.

A comprehensive elder-care initiative designed to make healthcare more accessible, personalised and reassuring for senior citizens, the initiative aims to go beyond hospital treatment.

The programme focuses on continuity of care, preventive health, emotional wellbeing, caregiver support and healthy ageing.

Inaugurating the initiative, City Commissioner of Police Shankhabrata Bagchi said senior citizens have contributed immensely to their families and society, and it is a shared responsibility to ensure that they are treated with care, dignity and respect. “As people grow older, they may need greater support, particularly when it comes to their health and day-to-day needs.

Pranaam in Visakhapatnam aims to provide dedicated support to senior citizens. Such initiatives can give elderly people and their families greater confidence and reassurance,” the CP underlined. The initiative was inaugurated in the presence of Shalabh Dang, president, sales & marketing, Aster DM Quality Care Limited, G Sukesh Reddy, Chief Operating Officer, Care Hospitals, along with senior doctors, healthcare professionals, staff and senior citizens.

With India’s senior citizen population crossing 150 million and expected to grow significantly over the coming decade, there is an increasing need to make healthcare systems more responsive to the specific needs of older adults.

For many senior citizens, particularly those living alone or dependent on family members and caregivers, navigating hospital visits, investigations, multiple specialist consultations and follow-up appointments can be challenging.

Pranaam has been designed to make this healthcare journey simpler, more comfortable and more supportive, the hospital management explained.