Breadfruit (malangkota.go.id) – Regional Secretary (Sekda) of Malang City Erik Setyo Santoso, ST, MT opened the activity 'Improving the Quality of the Elderly in Realizing Happy and Healthy, Independent, Active and Productive Elderly (SMART) at the Ascent Premiere Hotel, Malang City, Thursday (10/10/2024). From this activity, it is hoped that it can further encourage the improvement of the health and quality of life of the elderly in Malang City.
As a city that continues to improve and strive to advance various sectors of life, of course the development program that is being driven cannot be separated from creating or providing broad access and opportunities for all levels of society in a fair manner. The Malang City Government is also committed to realizing inclusive and sustainable development that takes sides and involves the entire community without exception, including the elderly.
"And if we look at the average life expectancy of Malang City, which is 73,75 years, this figure is the highest in East Java and could even be at the national level. This means that the higher the life expectancy in Malang City, the number of elderly people will increase. And currently the number of elderly people is recorded at 13,02 percent of the total population," added Regional Secretary Erik.
According to him, this should not be a burden, but rather an asset that is able to support development progress. Only now what must be done is how to improve the quality of the elderly so that they can become an important element for the development of Malang City.
"I believe that the experience, wisdom and knowledge possessed by the elderly in Malang City, including in the Wonokoyo Sub-district area, can be a guide for a society that is transforming and changing rapidly," he explained.
For this reason, through the activities held today, it is hoped that it can also become a medium for collaboration between the government, society, families, and private institutions to create a supportive environment for the elderly.
"When we give proper attention to this age group, we not only improve the quality of life of the elderly, but also enrich the lives of all of us as part of an inclusive and caring society. Let's work together to realize a future where every elderly person can enjoy a life full of meaning and happiness," he concluded. (say/yon)
