As the world celebrates the International Day of Older Persons on October 1, 2024, under the theme "Ageing with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older Persons Worldwide," the elderly in the North West Region of Cameroon face a harsh reality. After eight years of armed conflict, access to healthcare has become nearly impossible, particularly for older adults with disabilities. The few specialized health facilities in conflict-affected areas like Ngonketunjia, Bui, Boyo are overwhelmed or inaccessible, leaving the elderly vulnerable and isolated.
Before the conflict, hope for the aging community thrived through the efforts of organizations like the Community Development Volunteers for Technical Assistance (CDVTA). Led by Francis Njuakom, CDVTA created Senior Citizens Clubs or Old People's Clubs in almost every village across the region. These clubs provided elderly people with a sense of belonging and empowerment through shared activities like farming, beekeeping, and gardening. Every October, these clubs would assemble to celebrate the International Day for the Elderly, enhancing unity and celebrating their contributions to society.
"We used to be active, working together in the fields and celebrating our achievements. Now, we are left alone, with no help, and we can only hope for the day when we feel human again." Yaa Jaika of the Senior Citizens Club in Melim tells Hilltopvoices Newspaper in Bamenda where she now leaves with her daughter
However, since the conflict escalated, the activities of these clubs have come to a halt. Without the support of CDVTA, many elderly persons are left struggling to survive. In villages where the clubs once flourished, the farms are now abandoned, the gardens overgrown, and the elderly trapped in their homes due to the constant threat of violence. The community support they once relied on is gone, and many are forced to endure the physical and emotional toll of isolation.
One can imagine the beautiful scene in Aboh, Boyo Division, Lang in Oku-Bui Division, Chuku, Ngonketunjia Division etc this month each year, as what was once a joyous gathering of elderly citizens has turned into a quiet month of reflection.
During the October feast, one would see the elderly dressed in their finest, coming together to celebrate their lives and achievements. This year, the silence is and will be deafening. The crops they once planted together lie untended, and the camaraderie that sustained them has withered. Some of their members have passed away, while others, too weak to venture out, remain confined to their homes, their bodies and spirits deteriorating without the healthcare and support they desperately need.
"It breaks my heart to see my mother struggling to access healthcare especially in their cherished shisong hospital. They spent their lives taking care of us, but now, in their old age, there's no system in place to care for them particularly in this crisis times." Sevidzem dauther of Yaa Jaika now hosting her mother in Bamenda
The collapse of these clubs is emblematic of the broader collapse in care for the elderly across the region. The armed conflict has devastated the healthcare system, leaving older adults and persons with disabilities already the most vulnerable without access to basic services. Many elderly people have died from preventable diseases, while those who remain alive live in fear, unable to access medical care or even companionship.
Cdvta Cameroon Volunteers and #olderpersons in Njinikom established a
nursery of over 1000 Prunus Africana, after a training on tree planting with CDVTA Cameroon. It will enable them to improve their nutrition, their health and to raise some
income.
This year's International Day of Older Persons emphasizes the critical need to strengthen care systems for the elderly, especially in conflict zones like the North West Region of Cameroon. Aging is a natural phenomenon, but it should be lived with dignity, not in suffering and isolation. The story of the Senior Citizens Clubs in the region reminds us of what can be achieved when communities come together to support their aging members. It also serves as a stark reminder of the tragic consequences when conflict disrupts these vital support systems.
As we reflect on this year's theme, "Ageing with Dignity," it is clear that restoring peace and rebuilding support systems in the North West Region is essential. The elderly, who once thrived in the warmth of their communities, deserve the dignity of care, companionship, and the opportunity to live out their final years in peace. Strengthening healthcare and community-based support for the elderly should be a priority, both during and after the conflict, to ensure that they are not left behind in the shadows of war.
Pictures from CDVTA Cameroon Facebook page
By Bakah Derick
Email: hilltopvoicesnewspaper@gmail.com
Tel: 6 94 71 85 77