C ommo nwe a l t h memb e r c o u n t r i e s Population over 65 4% pension dates back to 1906. Today, monthly pension credits are paid by the state at a rate of US$26 per persons (2007–12) on a means-tested basis. Overall, public pension spending is equivalent to 1.3 per cent of the country’s total economic output (2009). The elderly receive free health care. Historically, as in other African countries, older people were traditionally cared for by younger generations of their extended family, but urbanisation has seen some people isolated from their families, while AIDS has seen many people outlive their children. Old people’s homes have begun to open to fill this need, usually funded by charities and the government. The government also offers some other services to support the elderly, such as food parcels. Further information Ministry of Health: www.moh.gov.bw Commonwealth Health Online: www.commonwealthhealth.org/health/africa/botswana 154 Commonwealth Health Partnerships 2015
Commonwealth Health Partnerships 2015
To see the actual publication please follow the link above