1 October 2026

The Commission bears in mind that the accelerated ageing of the population and increased life expectancy constitute major demographic transformations that call for structural adaptation of public policies, social protection systems, healthcare provision, urban infrastructure and mechanisms promoting the active inclusion of older persons.

The Commission warmly welcomes the theme of the 36th edition of the International Day of Older Persons (IDOP), namely The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives, a theme that calls on Governments to restructure public policies, particularly those relating to healthcare, social protection, care organisation and financing, employment and lifelong learning, so that advances in medicine and development translate into additional years of life lived in dignity, good health and autonomy, in a secure environment, while contributing to strengthening intergenerational solidarity.

The Commission commends the efforts made by public authorities and their partners to adapt national public policies to the requirements of demographic transition, characterised by the gradual shift from a situation of high birth and mortality rates to that of low birth and mortality rates, including through the strengthening of social protection, improved access to healthcare tailored to the needs of older persons, and preserving the functional autonomy of the elderly, through the organisation of a Community Advocacy and Experience-Sharing Forum, on 7 April 2026 in Yaoundé, to mark the World Health Day, under the coordination of Dr Laure Ciaffi and the patronage of the Minister of Public Health (MINSANTE). This forum was simultaneously initiated in Cameroon and Senegal in 2020 by the team of the projet interpays VIHeillir. This Forum enabled the formulation of proposals to improve the quality of life of older persons, including those living with human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or with chronic diseases as well as enhance the care provided persons aged over 60 years, by advocating for their inclusion in Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the establishment of subsidised care packages tailored to the needs of older persons.

The Commission remains deeply concerned about the inadequate adaptation of equipment and expertise in certain health facilities the health needs of older people, especially with regard to prevention, chronic disease management, palliative care, and community-based follow-up.

The Commission emphasises that corruption and the misappropriation of public properties directly undermine the effective exercise of the rights of older persons, as they reduce the resources allocated to healthcare and social protection infrastructure, which limits the availability and quality of healthcare provided to older persons. Corruption and the misappropriation of public properties effectively exacerbate age-related vulnerability, especially when access to basic healthcare or the legitimate receipt of a retirement pension subject to demands for preferential treatment or illicit payments (petty corruption at service counters), which may exclude the most disadvantaged older persons from essential services.

The Commission reiterates in its previous statement of 1 October 2025 to mark the 35th International Day of Older Persons (IDOP), in particular that the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Civic Education (MINJEC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Affairs (MINAS) should strengthen the participation of older persons in volunteering programmes, while respecting their freedom of choice, building on the “Projet Volontariat Sénior” already mentioned in the 2025 Statement, to harness their experience in civic education, knowledge transfer or community support, in accordance with their interests and abilities.

The Commission specifically recommends that the Ministry of Public Health (MINSANTE), the Ministry of Social Affairs (MINAS) and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MINTSS) should accelerate the operational integration into Universal Health Coverage (UHC) of an appropriate package of care services adapted to the needs of older persons, ensuring regular screening for chronic diseases, access to mental health services for older persons, as well as access to palliative care and community-based medical services, in accordance with their free consent.

The Commission specifically recommends that the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MINPOSTEL), the National Agency for Information and Communication Technologies (ANTIC) and the Ministry of Social Affairs (MINAS) should develop and implement a national digital literacy and inclusion plan for older persons, incorporating the development of simplified interfaces, training in commonly used technologies and awareness-raising on the risks of online scams, while guaranteeing – in coordination with the relevant administrative bodies and service providers – that non-digital means of access to all essential administrative and financial services remain available including through dedicated physical service points, as well as providing human assistance in using digital services.