Social Welfare Minister Sends Off Geriatric Caregiver Trainees to Japan

Aizawl : Yesterday at 4:30 PM, eight trainees who completed the Geriatric Caregiver program at RIPANS were officially sent off to Japan by the Social Welfare & Tribal Affairs, Women & Child Development Minister, Pi Lalrinpuii, from her office chamber. The send-off event was attended by Pi Lalzarmawii, Commissioner & Secretary, Pi Zonunthari, Joint Secretary, Dr. Lalhriatzuali Ralte, Director of SW&TA, Department officials, Pi Laldinpuii, Course Coordinator at RIPANS, and representatives of MUP.

During the event, Pi Lalrinpuii remarked on the importance of acquiring advanced medical skills, noting that with the increase in life expectancy, the care of the elderly has become particularly crucial. She mentioned, “This program under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is part of the new scheme aimed at creating a pool of trained geriatric caregivers.” She encouraged the young caregivers to dedicate themselves to the task of caring for the elderly, ensuring they do so with compassion and love, as they would for their own parents and grandparents.

The Geriatric Caregiver training is conducted under the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY) Scheme by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, with the Social Welfare and Tribal Affairs Department serving as the Nodal agency and RIPANS as the training center.

This short-term course lasts for three months, and the eight trainees who completed it will now proceed to Japan under the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) initiative. After their screening, they will be interviewed by their prospective employers in Japan and will undergo a nine-month Japanese language course in Delhi before being deployed in Japan.

RIPANS has already trained its first batch, who have since formed the Mizoram Geriatric Caregivers Association, remaining available for employment. The second batch began their classes on August 12, 2024, and there are still limited seats available. Interested applicants can submit their applications at the Directorate of Social Welfare & Tribal Affairs in Chaltlang.