JAMMU: The Central Government Pensioners’ Welfare Association (CGPWA), Jammu, on Friday celebrated the 36th Senior Citizens Day with a health talk on “Common Chest Diseases Among the Elderly”, drawing attention to respiratory illnesses and preventive healthcare for senior citizens.
The programme was presided over by CGPWA President Kuldeep Khoda, while the health talk was delivered by Dr Rahul Gupta, noted pulmonologist and Head of the Department of Chest Diseases, Government Medical College Jammu.
Among those present were Ashok Angurana, Dr Ashok Bhan, President RWA Gandhinagar, Er Chandra Uday, President, Association of Senior Citizens R.S. Pura, Prem Gupta, Ashok Gupta, Ravinder Kotwal, all former IGPs, former AIR Director V.K. Sambyal, Trustee T.R. Gupta Charitable Trust Dr Ashok Gupta, Director Seminar Er M.M. Gupta, B.B. Magotra, O.P. Sharma, J.K. Vaid and B.K. Raina.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Rahul Gupta cautioned that chronic lower respiratory tract diseases were among the leading causes of mortality in the elderly.
He said senior citizens were more vulnerable to respiratory ailments because of declining lung reserve, weakening immune function and reduced respiratory muscle strength.
Highlighting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as a major concern, Dr Gupta said it was the third leading cause of death worldwide. He said COPD accounts for about five lakh deaths annually in India and around 30 lakh deaths worldwide.
He also listed asthma, pneumonia, interstitial lung disease, aspiration pneumonia, tuberculosis, bronchiectasis and lung cancer among common respiratory illnesses affecting elderly people.
Referring to tuberculosis, Dr Gupta said the disease had not yet been eliminated in India and stressed the importance of proper nutrition and a healthy living environment in prevention.
He advised people to consult qualified doctors whenever unusual symptoms appeared and to avoid self-medication.
Dr Gupta also strongly advocated vaccination for senior citizens, particularly against influenza, pneumonia and herpes, saying vaccines were available at affordable prices in the market as well as in government hospitals.
He advised elderly people to take such vaccines in consultation with doctors.
Listing preventive measures, he urged senior citizens to avoid smoking, including passive smoking, maintain proper nutrition, exercise regularly, practise breathing exercises, walk, do yoga and ensure well-ventilated living conditions.
In his presidential address, Kuldeep Khoda complimented Dr Rahul Gupta for what he described as an informative and useful health talk and urged senior citizens to follow the advice for maintaining good pulmonary health.
Khoda said CGPWA had organised health talks by specialists from several medical disciplines and had also held health camps in collaboration with CGHS-empanelled hospitals for the benefit of pensioners.
He said the association had succeeded in facilitating the CGHS empanelment of several hospitals in Jammu and added that at least two more hospitals were likely to be empanelled shortly.
Efforts were also being made to secure the empanelment of AIIMS Vijaypur, he said.
Khoda said healthcare for senior citizens could broadly be viewed under three heads — physical health, mental health and financial health.
He said CGPWA had been regularly addressing the physical and mental health concerns of pensioners while also taking up financial issues with the 8th Central Pay Commission.
Khoda said the association had sought inclusion of pre-January 2026 pensioners in the proposed benefits of the Pay Commission’s recommendations. He added that although the government had given assurances in Parliament, the Terms of Reference had not yet been amended.
He further said several pensioners’ organisations had approached the Apex Court over the issue.
Dr Ashok Bhan, speaking in a humorous style, shared practical suggestions to help senior citizens prevent falls and fractures.
He advised elderly people to exercise caution while dressing, use grab bars on stairs and in washrooms, keep bathroom floors non-skid, avoid excessive drinking and maintain an active lifestyle while remaining mentally alert.
Earlier, CGPWA General Secretary K.B. Jandial welcomed the gathering and called for renewed efforts to restore respect for the elderly in society.
He suggested involving schools in such an initiative and said CGPWA could consider launching a planned campaign in this direction.
CGPWA Vice President Dr Sudarshan Kumar presented the vote of thanks, while Nisar Ahmad conducted the proceedings.
