A year ago on 8 October, an earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale struck the regions of Kashmir and North West Frontier Province.

In India-administered Kashmir, HelpAge India responded immediately by providing emergency medical assistance.

In Pakistan-administered Kashmir, HelpAge International and British relief agency Merlin are now running a healthcare and counselling programme in camps for earthquake survivors in one of the worst hit areas of Muzaffarabad.

Asma Akbar, HelpAge International's Public Health trainer in Muzaffarabad, reports.

When I first saw 80 year-old Sabjan, she was very weak and unable to walk. She welcomed me warmly into the tented temporary accommodation that she shares with her son and daughter-in-law.

The family lost their home and livelihood in the earthquake. After a few minutes she was exhausted and unable to talk to me.

Addressing older people's health needs

Sabjan suffers from various ailments including asthma and headaches. Her son has taken her to see spiritual healers, but there has been little improvement in her health.

She is now being treated by Merlin doctors and is regularly visited by HelpAge International trained health visitors. HelpAge International has successfully lobbied for all older people, including those in the camps for internally displaced people, to have regular check-ups and get free medicines. Sabjan now benefits from this.

HelpAge International has been working with the government and other non-governmental agencies in the region, to strengthen the existing health programme and identify local partners to better address older people's specific health needs in the following ways:

•Training healthcare workers to identify and treat age-related health conditions. •Inclusion of counselling and psychological support for older people in existing healthcare programmes. •Providing healthy living advice for older people. •Training in older women's health problems, such as the menopause. •Working with other organisations to adopt intergenerational approaches to address exclusion, isolation and neglect of older people.

Ensuring long-term healthcare provision

The programme has only been running six months but major national achievements include:

•Integration of geriatric programmes within the Pakistan government's Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and other national and international agencies. •Agreement from government and international NGOs to address older women's health issues in existing national health programmes. •Agreement from the Ministry of Social Welfare to set up vocational centres for older people.

HelpAge International is promoting the provision of healthcare services for older people as part of the relief programme, and in longer term national healthcare programmes.

For further information contact Faith Mall Media Officer, HelpAge International (press@helpage.org) Tel +44 207 278 7778 x 286/07747 062932 (out of hours)

Spokespeople In London Vincent Gainey HelpAge International's Emergencies Officer Tel +44 207 278 7778

In Muzaffarabad Asma Akbar, HelpAge International's Public Health Trainer/Murad Allah, HelpAge International's Protection Officer Duty Phone (Mobile) +92 (0) 302 549 8549 Personal Phone (Mobile) +92 (0) 333 916 3116