Cooperation between the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Bayer in the area of active and healthy ageing is expanding. During the month of October, in the context of actions dedicated to the International Day of Older Persons, Bayer will provide several informative online and offline health trainings to about 630 older women and men from Chisinau and other districts of the country.
Thus, Bayer joins the ‘Digital Skills Connect Generations’ programme, becoming the second private sector partner to support the programme, alongside the Moldcell Foundation.
Dr. Nigina Abaszada, UNFPA Resident Representative, reiterated that such partnerships are very important for Moldova’s demographic context.
‘This year, the world's population will reach 8 billion – while the number of people in the world is growing, the Republic of Moldova is facing population ageing and shrinking. More than 22% of the country’s population is over 60 and the Active Ageing Index launched by UNFPA and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection in 2021 shows that only one third of older persons use their full potential for active and healthy ageing. Involving the private sector in supporting older persons is an opportunity we must capitalise on, contributing to the country's demographic resilience.’
Elena Armașu, Bayer Executive Manager, said in her turn that through these trainings, Bayer will support UNFPA Moldova in fulfilling its mandate by contributing, through information activities, to expanding the population's access ‘to life-saving information, in order to ensure better health of the population at all ages’. The company will also co-participate in activities aimed at supporting older persons to manage their own health needs using innovative online learning channels and tools.
‘Access to truthful and high-quality health information is one of Bayer's core principles. We support UNFPA's initiative to encourage older persons to embrace the principles of an active life and taking good care of their health. This hybrid programme will contribute to increasing access to information and improving the quality of life of more golden-agers’, says Elena Armașu.
UNFPA Moldova and Bayer signed in 2021 a Collaboration Agreement in the fields of sexual and reproductive health and rights, and population and development. As part of this Agreement, Bayer will provide offline and online information meetings this year for 130 older women and men from Chisinau municipality and another 500 older persons from 25 communities of the Republic of Moldova. At the trainings, older persons will have the opportunity to talk to qualified doctors about their health problems and receive guidance.
About Bayer
A leader in modern contraception and in integrated solutions for agriculture, Bayer is a strategic partner of UNFPA globally, following consistently its vision ‘Health for all, Hunger for none’.
About UNFPA
UNFPA Moldova is a UN agency that, under its mandate, helps the country address the demographic concerns, by improving population data to better understand and address the demographic changes, building the demographic resilience through intergenerational solidarity programs between young and older persons, and integration of family-friendly policies in the business environment.
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‘Digital Skills Connect Generations’ programme aims to promote active ageing and social and digital inclusion of older persons with the help of young people. The project is funded by UNFPA Moldova, Moldcell Foundation, Swiss Cooperation in Moldova, the Czech Republic and implemented by HelpAge International Moldova in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Moldova in 26 rural communities.