Timely consolidate the organization of the Association, contributing to protecting, caring for and promoting the role of the elderly.

- On June 23, 2023, the Central Party Secretariat issued Conclusion No. 58-KL/TW on the organization and operation of the Vietnam Association of the Elderly. Could you please tell us the basis on which the Secretariat issued this important conclusion?

In my opinion, there are three main bases for the Central Party Secretariat to issue Conclusion No. 58-KL/TW on the organization and operation of the Vietnam Association of the Elderly.

Firstly, since the establishment of the Association of the Elderly in 1995, in 50 provinces and cities, the model of the Representative Board of the Association of the Elderly has been applied at the provincial and district levels, only 13 provinces and cities have a full Association model at all 4 administrative levels. In the process of organizing activities, the Representative Board model has revealed some shortcomings such as in terms of legal basis, the Representative Board is not yet an Association organization in accordance with the spirit of Decree No. 45/2010 of the Government; the lack of unity in the organizational model among mass organizations in the political system in our country, only the Association of the Elderly has a Representative Board model. Therefore, it requires a comprehensive event to unify the model.

Second, activities to care for and promote the role of the elderly in the face of the rapid population aging in the country are both urgent and long-term requirements, in which community-based and community-based care for the elderly, through the Elderly Association, plays an important role and is a regular activity.

Third, the position and role of the elderly and the Association of the Elderly are increasingly clear. Therefore, it is necessary to have a strong organization system of the Association of the Elderly with full legal basis.

- How has Hai Duong province implemented Conclusion 58-KL/TW of the Secretariat?

Implementing the conclusion of the Secretariat, on January 5, 2024, the Hai Duong Provincial Party Committee agreed on the policy of establishing the Association of the Elderly at the provincial and district levels in the province. On April 5, 2024, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee issued decisions allowing the establishment of the Hai Duong Provincial Association of the Elderly and the establishment of the Association of the Elderly in districts, towns and cities in the province.

According to the report of the Provincial Elderly Association Representative Board, by June 25, 2024, districts, towns and cities have completed the organization of the congress to establish the Association, in accordance with instructions, regulations and on schedule.

- As Head of the Provincial Elderly Affairs Committee, how do you evaluate the results of the activities of the Elderly Association in the province in recent years?

Through reporting and monitoring the activities of the Association of the Elderly at all levels, I have noticed that since the beginning of the 2021-2026 term, the Associations at all levels have closely followed the principles and purposes, proactively developed and effectively implemented 3 key tasks and 3 major work programs according to the Resolution of the 6th Congress of the Vietnam Association of the Elderly. Effectively performing the tasks assigned by the Party and the Government.

The work of building a strong Association has always been of concern. The emulation movement "Old age - Bright example" has been well organized, propagandized, and mobilized members to actively participate in emulation movements and campaigns; attracting over 91% of the elderly to participate in Association activities, with over 320,000 members, operating in 1,404 branches in villages and residential areas belonging to 235 commune-level Associations. The elderly care activities have been well organized: periodic health check-ups for 234,380 elderly people, health monitoring records for 316,344 elderly people have been established. The program "Bright eyes for the elderly" has examined eye diseases for over 100,000 people, and performed cataract surgery for nearly 18,000 people. The organization of longevity celebrations for 114,312 elderly people has been coordinated, with an amount of over 51 billion 933 million VND. Effectively implement the Project to replicate the model of intergenerational self-help clubs...

- To meet the requirements of protecting, caring for and promoting the role of the elderly in the current situation of population aging, what solutions are needed, sir?

Population aging is a common reality of the whole country. Hai Duong is a province with a population aging rate faster than the national average. Currently, the number of elderly people in our province accounts for over 17% of the population. This reality requires diversifying forms of protection, care and promotion of the role of the elderly, in which the role of the Association of the Elderly is very important.

Therefore, after perfecting the organizational model, the Provincial Association of the Elderly and districts, cities and towns need to actively innovate the content and methods of operation, closely follow the objectives and purposes of the Association, continue to implement the emulation movement "Old age - Bright example", focusing on three key tasks.

Firstly, build a strong association; propagate and mobilize members to set good examples in implementing the Party and State's guidelines and policies, and at the same time mobilize families and communities to follow suit.

Second, organize well the care activities for members and the elderly through specific activities such as: developing and maintaining many types of cultural, artistic, physical education and sports clubs, creating conditions for members to participate in activities to improve physical and mental health; continue to effectively implement the Project to replicate the model of intergenerational self-help clubs; care for and encourage families of members in difficult circumstances, elderly, lonely members with no one to rely on; effectively implement the program "Bright eyes for the elderly".

Third, encourage members to promote the role of "tall trees - big shade", actively participate in activities to build the political system, play a core role in building cultural families and happy families.

To meet the requirements of protecting, caring for, and promoting the role of the elderly in the current situation of population aging in Hai Duong, on behalf of the Provincial Elderly Affairs Committee, I request that Party committees, authorities, and Fatherland Fronts at all levels in the province pay attention to thoroughly grasping and implementing the contents clearly stated in Conclusion No. 58-KL/TW of the Central Party Secretariat.

Thank you very much, comrade!