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"content": "want to congratulate this Ministry for this bold step to create institutions that, for the first time, will captivate even stakeholders in the private sector as they are engaging in their corporate/social responsibility programmes, to think of the old people who have given contributions, parentage and worked for this country. In my constituency, for example, when I call a meeting of the education sector, I find that many children are being taken care of by their grandparents because of misfortunes of life, including the HIV/AIDS scourge. Many children are orphaned. In Mukurweini, every time we have a school event or a prize giving day, we always without exception and failure, recognize the oldest person in attendance. We even do better recognition for those whose grandchildren or great grandchildren have attained top marks in their classes. This is a way of telling the old people that when their children leave their offsprings, it means that we have a social obligation. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, in order to reciprocate what the old people have given us and continue to give, this Sessional Paper will create institutions, including a division of older persons and the ageing and a Special Council for the older and ageing persons. It will also create a special fund, the National Development Fund for the older persons. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, many good things are happening in this Government, not just in terms of infrastructure, Constituencies Development Fund (CDF), Rural Electrification Programme and expansion of our highways, but also social welfare at the grassroots. Two days ago, I had the privilege to host the Permanent Secretary in this Ministry, in Mukurweini, to recognize and disburse funds to women groups in the constituency for investment. The officers within this Ministry are not just sitting at the headquarters and allowing their district officials and provincial directors to do the work. The Minister, Assistant Minister and Permanent Secretary are on the ground across the country, even implementing the pilot projects that recognize the home-based aged. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, one issue that needs urgency in order to ameliorate some of the problems facing the old people, is for this House to take over the agenda, which should emanate very fast from the Cabinet, on the universal health insurance programme. It was brought in the Ninth Parliament but was frustrated by the private health providers. The people who were profiteering and making millions and even retaining dead bodies in private morgues, because poor people cannot afford to pay, came together to frustrate the introduction of universal health care. His Excellency, President Barrack Obama, in his campaign, promised universal health care. There were hurdles and pessimism that it would not happen. Today, in America, a milestone has been achieved. There is a universal focus on health care and medical insurance for the very vulnerable groups. As a country, as we create wealth, we need to synergize that wealth creation with coverage for our most vulnerable. The Ministry needs to create a system of recognizing and awarding those very old people in clearly demarcated areas, who have engaged in exemplary contributions to social welfare, including the old people who are endowed financially; who are giving part of their income to home-based programmes and even homes for the aged. There are also those old people who are hosting and taking care of many orphans and other children who are vulnerable within their homes. I say this because in my constituency, I know of a group of women who are hosted by the"
}