Akhilesh announces research centre on geriatric mental health

A centre for advanced research in ageing and geriatric mental health would be set up at King George's Medical University here, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said today.
The state government would provide necessary funds for the centre, he said.
"It is our responsibility to ensure quality life for elderly people and their good health. The state government is fully sensitive towards welfare of elderly people and that is why we were among first states to implement the Parents and Senior Citizens Maintenance and Welfare Act," Yadav said.
Addressing the 9th annual function of Indian Association for Geriatric Mental Health, he stressed the need for further research in the field of geriatric mental health.

The Chief Minister said he was confident that information extended by experts taking part in this programme and research papers presented here would prove useful in the field.
Yadav said the geriatric mental health department in the university was set up during Mulayam Singh Yadav's tenure and his government would extend cooperation to strengthen it.

Pointing out that the population of youth was maximum at this point of time and they will grow old in future, Yadav said therefore it was essential that priority be given to treatment of old age related diseases.
Citing health related challenges facing the country, he said diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, cancer, liver related diseases as well as malaria and encephalitis affects a large number of people.

The state government was working diligently towards providing better health care facilities to the people, Yadav said.