“The Centre gives us inspiration — it makes me feel my life is important”
How a civil society organization in Kyrgyzstan provided a lifeline for older people during the COVID-19 pandemic
Seventy-year-old Valentina Podgaichenko, a regular visitor to a care centre for older people in Balykchy, Kyrgyzstan, found COVID-19 quarantine tough. At the beginning of the pandemic she was isolated and missed her children. Her normal contact with health services was disrupted and reliable information was hard to come by.
Populations around the world are ageing at a faster pace than in the past, and this transition is having an impact on all aspects of society. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the seriousness of existing gaps in services, but it also brought to light how communities can make a difference in bringing care to the most vulnerable.
Knowing that communities are key actors in health emergencies and that the needs of older people deserve special attention, WHO/Europe partnered with the civil society organization Resource Centre for the Elderly. They support organizations such as the care centre in Balykchy, which offers older people like Valentina a lifeline.
“The Centre kept in touch with us elderly people — calling, taking care of us, offering vaccinations. Doctors visited to check our eyes and now I wear glasses,” Valentina explains.
With support from WHO, the Resource Centre provided 3600 older people with masks, medical devices and free counselling services. Those with disabilities have been supported to access health-care facilities, offered safe social contact and tips on COVID-19 protection, and given checks for blood pressure, diabetes and eyesight. The Centre also taught participants online skills and established a council of paramedics that tapped into the experience of retired health workers.
Valentina continues to rely on the Centre for her health and well-being. “WHO visited, bringing devices to measure our oxygen, blood pressure and temperature. At the Centre, children put on concerts. It gives us inspiration — it makes me feel my life is important.”
The centre in Balykchy also offers members tips on healthy ageing. Kudaibergen Balgeldiev, aged 76, has become determined to maintain his health. “I wake up early in the morning and go to the lake to exercise there. The centre provides encouragement. We share advice about how to live and enjoy better health,” he says.
At a social centre for older people in Bishkek, residents are not only encouraged to get the COVID-19 vaccine but also to maintain their physical and mental health. They can read in the library, engage in physical activity, and participate in physical therapy.
“At the beginning of the [COVID-19] pandemic older people were very worried. Communication with their relatives was cut off. There was a lot of distress. Physiotherapy helped them start to feel better, they came alive and started socializing again,” says Irina Pobejimova, a physiotherapist at the centre in Bishkek.
“The pandemic caused a lot of damage and affected all kinds of activities that we offer,” says Erkingul Kurmanalieva, Director of a social centre in Bishkek that also participated in the initiative.
“But I would say that we maintained the dignity of our members thanks to the support of the Government and organizations such as WHO.”
Gerald Rockenschaub, Regional Emergency Director at WHO/Europe, confirms that supporting communities to mobilize their own resources to protect the most vulnerable is critical, especially in the early stages of an emergency.
“We work with communities in emergencies because they are the ones who have the eyes and ears on the ground. They are there, they know best what needs to be done, and they are the first to be affected by any particular crisis.”
Gerald adds, “Communities can mobilize their resources and protect their members best in the early stages of a crisis until the international community and the government can mobilize additional resources to support them.”
All photos: © WHO / Arete / Maxime Fossat.
This story was first published by WHO/Europe on 19 July 2022.
Learn about the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing, a global platform for collaboration through which WHO is promoting healthy ageing — including in emergencies — so that older people can fulfil their potential with dignity and equality.
Read more about WHO’s work with civil society organizations.
