Health Vulnerability of Older People During COVID-19 Outbreak in the Tea Gardens of Bangladesh

Abstract

The older people in Bangladesh’s tea gardens live in impoverished conditions, lacking access to public services and isolated from the mainstream population, which makes them vulnerable to poor physical and mental health. The present study aimed to explore the health risks of elderly individuals residing in tea plantations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs), the study highlighted that the imposition of lockdown and social distancing measures reduces family income and purchasing capacity, disrupts the food supply chain, reduces their food intake, increases the habit of alcohol consumption, limits their access to healthcare professionals and thereby exacerbating the health vulnerability of older people in the tea gardens of Bangladesh. The study called for joint efforts by the government, civil society, social service agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to expand the social safety net in the tea gardens and initiate pragmatic measures to ensure healthcare for the tea gardeners.