Embracing the Spirit of the Millennium Declaration
Common Country Assessment for Egypt 2005
Embracing the Spirit of the Millennium Declaration
United Nations
Egypt
2005
Copyright © 2005 United Nations Egypt
Office of the UN Resident Co-ordinator - 1191 Corniche El Nil, World Trade Centre, Boulac, Cairo, Egypt
All rights reserved
Published by Moody Graphic Int. Cover design concept by Mr. Antonio Vigilante Design by Ms. Simona Galbiati and Mr. Davide Galbiati
ذو صلة[عدل]
Chapter V: Social Protection of Vulnerable Groups in Egypt 82 Children at risk 83 People living with and vulnerable to HIV/AIDS 85 Refugees and asylum seekers 87 Caring for the elderly 89 People living with disabilities 89
Caring for the elderly[عدل]
The elderly in Egypt, (60 years and above) constitute 15.8% of society, and this group is growing as life expectancy increases162. Seventy per cent of the elderly live with their children and grandchildren and 13% live as couples under the care of their children or relatives. Only 5.3% of the elderly live alone, constituting a vulnerable group, since they seldom seek help while often suffering from several illnesses163. People in this category struggle to live their daily lives, as they have no one to give them help with bathing, dressing and walking, while isolation and poverty combine to restrict their access to health services. Illiteracy among the elderly is as high as 65%164. Duty-bearer capacity and response The Ministry of Insurance and Social Affairs (MISA) and the Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP) represent the main public institutions dealing with older persons, and responsible for respectively health and social services. The MOHP’s Population Strategy 2001-2017 sets out to “increase the attention given to services for the elderly”, though to date few concrete measures have been taken to pursue this goal. MISA's programmes and services range from providing Elderly Homes, Elderly Clubs, Elderly sitter services, and support mechanisms through discounts on various public services. Although a 1996 survey showed the existence of 108 elderly clubs and homes across the country, very little data has been collected on these social services. They tend to be concentrated in urban governorates, with over half located in Cairo and Alexandria, while several governorates had only one or two elderly clubs and many had none165. Elderly homes often suffer from inadequate services and utilities, with 57.3% having only one toilet per five or more residents, while 63.4% had one bathroom for the same number of people. Staff in the centres often lacks appropriate training and specialization166. Another source of support is from cash benefits under the social insurance law concerning pensions, and social insurance for employees in governmental and public sectors. However, due to their low levels of literacy, economic status and isolation many old people are often unable to claim these rights.
People living with disabilities[عدل]
In 1996 the number of people living with disabilities was 284,188, or 0.42% of the population; this figure includes people with mental disabilities. About 22% of people with disabilities in Egypt are under 15 years, thus specialized childcare and educational institutions are of major importance. Children with physical and mental disabilities experience significant problems in schooling, and the 2000 Demographic and Health Survey indicated that of 60,000 children, only 5% were enrolled in primary education. Though the number of rehabilitation centres for children has increased over the last two decades, both their quality and quantity remain inadequate. A study at a rehabilitation school among children aged 9-12 years showed that the children suffered from physical, emotional and in some cases sexual abuse as well as deprivation of love and care.167 The Ministry of Health and Population is planning to expand the number of quality rehabilitation centres especially in deprived areas. The health care system in Egypt is not geared to the early detection of physical and mental disabilities, and families looking after someone living with a disability face difficulties in getting appropriate health services, particularly in rural areas.
