Minister María Inés Castillo presents the new Public Policy in favor of the Elderly in Panama 2024-2030, “For Healthy Aging”

The Minister of Social Development (MIDES), María Inés Castillo, presented the new Public Policy in favor of Older Persons in Panama 2024-2030, “For Healthy Aging”, in alliance with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA ) and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

 “The document presented will constitute the guidance guide for public management decision makers, in favor of a vulnerable group in the country and also lays the foundations for this population to be better cared for,” said Minister Castillo. from the Latin American and Caribbean Parliament.

 During her intervention, Minister Castillo highlighted the main axes contained in this Public Policy adopted through the Executive Decree of June 13, 2024:

Axis 1. Economic security in old age.

Axis 2. Health and well-being in old age.

Axis 3. Conducive and healthy environments.

 Minister Castillo recognized that our region is aging rapidly. This reality, evidenced by estimates and projections from ECLAC and national statistics, poses important challenges for public policies, but also opens up opportunities to advance development with equality.

 He announced that Panama is among the countries with the greatest longevity in the region, proof of this is that life expectancy in the country is 78.7 years, exceeding the average for Latin America and the Caribbean.  Another interesting fact is that those over 60 years of age represent 13.9% of the population, a figure that will increase to 18% in 2030.

 Throughout the course of life, people must enjoy a full life, with health, quality, security and active participation in their family, cultural, economic, social and political environment – ??explained Minister Castillo – who highlighted that this recognition (Public Policy 2024-2030) is fundamental for the social, equitable development and democracy of our country.

 Likewise, he clarified that the new Public Policy in favor of Older Persons in Panama 2024-2030, “For Healthy Aging” is based on the programmatic instruments adopted at the Second World Assembly on Aging (Madrid 2002) and the Regional Intergovernmental Conference on Aging (Santiago 2003), as well as in other binding instruments ratified by the Republic of Panama.