Mongolia Seeks ESCAP's Support to Improve Elderly and Disability Care

On August 23, 2024, Luvsantseren Enkh-Amgalan, Minister for Family, Labour and Social Protection of Mongolia, met with Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). The meeting focused on the challenges and opportunities related to the care of the elderly and people with disabilities in Mongolia.

Minister L. Enkh-Amgalan highlighted the urgent need for enhanced care services as Mongolia's elderly population, currently at 10 percent, is projected to rise to 17 percent by 2040. To address this, the Law on the Elderly was amended in June 2024 to expand care options, including the introduction of new services aimed at improving elderly care and increasing the availability of private nursing homes.

The Minister emphasized the importance of not only providing benefits to those requiring constant care but also improving a range of services targeted at this population. Key areas discussed included human resource capacity building, the construction of new nursing homes, renovation of existing facilities, provision of essential equipment, and the enhancement of funding mechanisms for care and nursing services. Policy reforms were also highlighted as necessary steps forward.

Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana expressed ESCAP's strong support and commitment to cooperate with Mongolia in improving care for the elderly and people with disabilities.