WHO South-East Asia nations adopt Colombo declaration to support healthy ageing
On October 14, 2023, WHO South-East Asia nations adopted the Colombo Declaration to enhance primary healthcare for the ageing population, projected to double by 2050.
📋 Key Points
- The Colombo Declaration emphasizes the importance of strengthening primary healthcare to support the health and well-being of the ageing population in South-East Asia.
- Member States of the WHO South-East Asia Region, including Sri Lanka, recognize that the number of older individuals is expected to double from 600 million in 2020 to 1.2 billion by 2050.
- The initiative aims to promote universal health care and address the specific health needs of older adults across the South-East Asia region.
- The declaration aligns with the World Health Organization's broader goals of improving health outcomes and enhancing the quality of life for older individuals.
- This commitment reflects a growing recognition among South-East Asian nations of the need for integrated health services tailored to the ageing demographic.
💡 Why It Matters
The adoption of the Colombo Declaration is significant as it marks a collective effort by South-East Asian nations to prioritize the health of their ageing populations. This demographic shift will place increased demands on healthcare systems, making the strengthening of primary healthcare essential. With a projected increase in the elderly population, effective strategies for healthy ageing will be critical for maintaining quality of life and reducing healthcare burdens in the region.
📊 Event Details
This story is being tracked across 8 news sources.
Event ID: eng-11053295
Category: Health → Aging/Longevity
Last Updated: October 14, 2025