The Ministry of Health stated that the need for elderly-friendly public transport is quite high

Jakarta (MidLand) – Member of the Working Group on the Health of the Elderly of the Ministry of Health, Prof. Dr. Tri Budi W Rahardjo, drg. MS said the need for professional services, including public transport, that are suitable for seniors is still high in Indonesia.

“The need for transport services suitable for the elderly and disabled is very high, but there is still a need for many entrepreneurs in the transport sector to provide this service,” Tri said at the launch of the taxi service with ride-hailing features mobility for the elderly and disabled. Disabled Bluebird Lifecare Taxi in Jakarta, Thursday.

According to him, currently the possibilities for improving care and professional services for the elderly are quite large, as the percentage of elderly people with disabilities is increasing.

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Tri said the percentage of seniors experiencing disabilities from 20% at age 65 has now become 60% at age 90.

“I see a great opportunity to improve care and professional services for older adults. “With the growing proportion of seniors with disabilities from 20% at age 65 to 60% at age 90, this (age- and disability-friendly transportation service) gives them hope to continue carrying out activities according to their needs conditions,” Tri said.

Nonetheless, he believes that transportation entrepreneurs definitely need more research into this specific market question.

Tri said his party is willing to collaborate with related parties to conduct research on market demand in order to provide more qualified services to the elderly, including people with special needs.

“The demand is definitely there, we need joint research, a needs survey, there needs to be a needs survey and assessment, then combine them, I think research is needed, I offer a collaboration of research with the centers,” he added.

Based on the “2023 Elderly Population Statistics” data released by the Central Statistics Agency on December 29, 2023, Indonesia is currently in an elderly population structure (aging population)Indonesia also entered aging of the population from 2021.

The proportion of elderly Indonesians increased by at least 4% over more than a decade (2010-2022) to 11.75%.

Meanwhile, according to BPS data released on May 16, 2023 in “Indonesian Population Projections 2020-2050”, it is stated that in the moderate scenario, the proportion of the population aged 60 years and older is expected to be 22.53 % (75.15 million inhabitants) in 2050.

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Reporter: Pamela Sakina
Editor: Zita Meirina
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