Feb 17, Kathmandu - Kathmandu Metropolitan City has revealed that a health survey of 452 senior citizens aged 70 and above has identified 11 individuals requiring immediate hospital admission. The survey, initiated on Magh 18, aims to assess the health conditions of the elderly residents across the city.

According to Hospital Nursing Inspector and focal person for the program, Kalpana Shrestha, 208 of the surveyed seniors need regular monitoring, while the remaining are under observation. The survey is based on 84 detailed questionnaires, which also uncovered that 82 senior citizens are facing financial hardships making medication difficult, and 192 are not insured.

The elderly individuals are categorized into three 'zones'—green, yellow, and red—based on their health status. The green zone indicates a safe condition requiring minimal care. The yellow zone includes those needing supervision and care from healthcare workers, family, and doctors. The red zone comprises individuals in critical condition who require immediate hospital referral.

Shrestha emphasized that those in the red zone are being promptly referred to nearby health facilities for urgent treatment. Out of the total 452 seniors surveyed, 423 live with their families, and the assessment covers physical and mental health, family and social conditions, medication routines, and recent weight changes.

To ensure comprehensive health support, teams of healthcare workers have been deployed across all wards. The program aims to provide basic health services at home for seniors who cannot visit health facilities, prioritizing their well-being through targeted treatment and regular health assessments.