Discussion Meeting Held in Pirojpur on Elderly Citizens, Access to Services and Future Course of Action.

A day-long discussion meeting was held in Pirojpur on the exchange of experiences regarding government and non-government services for elderly citizens, and to determine future courses of action. The meeting was organized by Resource Integration Center (RIC) under the ISIGOP project and held on Tuesday (July 14) morning at the Pirojpur Press Club auditorium. Chairperson: Tofazzal Hossain Manju, National Coordinator & Researcher, RIC Chief Guest: Abdul Hai Mallik, Deputy Director, Department of Youth Development Special Guests: Nazmun Nahar, Deputy Director, Department of Women Affairs, Pirojpur Dr. Nizam Uddin, RMO, District Hospital Masum Billah, Upazila Social Services Officer Rafiqul Islam Panna, NGO Representative Zahidul Islam, BRAC Representative The program was conducted by Project Coordinator Khandaker Riaz Hossain and Co-coordinator Mainul Ahsan Munna. Also present were journalists Khalid Abu, Hasan Mamun and Amit Biswas, women leader Minara Begum, teachers' leaders Habibur Rahman, Shah Alam, Jasmine, Nargis Akhter, along with representatives from various government and non-government organizations, journalists and elderly citizens. Key points from the discussion: Speakers said that elderly citizens are valuable assets to society. To ensure their healthcare, social security, legal aid and dignified life, coordinated initiatives by both government and non-government institutions are essential. Participants shared their real-life experiences of receiving various services and emphasized the need for expanding elderly-friendly services, increasing awareness, and strengthening inter-institutional coordination.