The Shanghai municipal government is to offer monthly allowances of 200 yuan (US$24.66) next year to senior citizens living on low incomes and in poor health under a new plan to improve life for its growing elderly population.

City officials will also encourage seniors living in rest homes in the city's downtown area to consider moving out to the suburbs, where they will arrange for special medical care for the relocated people starting next year.

Shanghai is one of China's most rapidly ageing cities. The Shanghai Population and Family Planning Committee has estimated that people aged 60 and above will account for about a third of the city's population by 2020.

The new measures are part of a larger plan to tackle some of the social problems Shanghai expects to face as its population ages. The plan will take effect on January 1.

Under the plan, senior citizens will receive an allowance of 200 yuan (US$24.66). Those residents who are in particularly poor health will also be eligible to receive an additional 200 yuan (US$24.66), said Jiao Yang, the spokeswoman of Shanghai municipal government.

She added that city officials would ask medical professionals help diagnose such seniors to make sure they qualify for the additional income.

Local government officials will also encourage senior citizens who are staying in rest homes in the city to consider moving out to facilities in the suburbs.

Jiao said the local government would arrange for preferential health care for low-income senior citizens moving out to the suburbs and increase access to medication.

The city is planning to pay to train doctors working in the suburbs to ensure a proper level of service for the new elderly residents.

"These senior citizens will have an equally good or even better living environment after they move from downtown rest homes out to suburban ones," Jiao said.

Experts from Fudan University's Institute of Population Research heralded the plan, saying it was an effective way to solve the problem of overpopulation in the downtown areas.

Peng Xizhe, the institute's director, said overcrowding could lead to social problems in Shanghai's central areas and result in improper resource allocation.

Meanwhile, Shou Lili, an expert on ageing problems, warned that asking senior citizens leave the city centre could inconvenience their families.

"Moving these senior citizens to suburban rest homes might make it difficult for their children to visit them, which consequently will make these senior citizens very lonely," she said.

Shou added that the staff members at suburban rest homes and hospitals would need more training to provide adequate services.

Jiao said that Shanghai was the first city in China to face a rapidly ageing society. In 1979, 10 percent of the city's residents were over the age of 60.

"The local government is teaming up with the families of senior citizens and other organizations to solve the ageing problem. Solving these problems will take everyone's effort; however, the local government should take the lead." Jiao added.

(Xinhua News Agency November 30, 2006)