Life expectancy increases, says official

JAKARTA: Director general for community health at the Ministry of Health Azrul Azwar, revealed on Tuesday that the average person's life expectancy in Indonesia had jumped within the last 30 years to 70 years old in 2000 from 55 years old in 1970.

He said the data was an indicator of the country's success in developing community health, as the number of senior citizens reaching 60 years of age had quadrupled in 2000 compared to 6.6 million in 1980.

Delivering a speech at the opening of the 2002 Silver Age Expo, held to celebrate Silver Age National Day, Azrul said the development of community health centers (Puskesmas) in remote areas and other similar health services had benefited senior citizens prone to health problems.

The government has provided them with special services, including a 20 percent discount for any transportation facilities, a lifelong identity card, and free health service at Puskesmas.

"Every Puskesmas provides integrated services to senior citizens, ranging from free examination and treatment to holding weekly exercise programs to keep senior citizens in a healthy condition," Azrul said. -- JP