The elderly at the Pashupati old age home (Pashupati Briddhashram) do not have to worry about a square meal daily, but the environment around their residence is not healthy.

To live in a clean and healthy environment and access to safe drinking water is basic right of citizens.

Drinking water at the old age home and the environment around it could be better. A stinking public toilet, constructed by Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT), adjacent to the home’s gate welcomes visitors. The perpetually stinking toilet is a health hazard to all, not just the occupants of the home.

Construction crews have dug the area around the home that has disrupted water supply. PADT Secretary Dr Pradip Dhakal assured cleaning the public toilet at the entrance of the home within a week, constructing and another well-equipped toilet.

Women and Social Committee President Nirudevi Pal said the concerned authorities have been directed to clean the toilet and resolve drinking water problems within a week. Besides these issues, the accommodation at the old-age home is old unfit for the elderly. The home lacks space; therefore, many elderly people are crammed into dingy rooms. The home has 160 elderly inmates.

There are 65 males and 95 females currently living in the old age home. Thirty-five are incapacitated.

Around 40 per cent of the senior citizens in the home receive old-age allowance. The remaining do not get because they do not have citizenship certificate. They have urged the authority to grant them citizenship certificate.

Elderly folks without citizenship certificate cannot avail other allowances provided to single women and the disabled.

The Pashupati Old Age Home is the oldest home in the country. Donor support from Nepal and abroad keeps the government-managed home afloat.

The home spends around Rs 33,000 on food daily. Food expenses are paid from donor funds. Pashupati Old-age Home Office Secretary Manoj Basnet said, although the government allocates Rs 10 million every year for food, this amount goes in freeze. Approximately Rs 33,000 is required for food monthly, which is paid from donor’s contributions.

Many elderly people suffer from eye problems. They receive healthcare services at Tilganga Eye Hospital,” said Basnet. A doctor is available for health check-ups three days a week, he said. Two nurses including one from government quota works for the shelter.