Ningbo govt helps seniors to help themselves

The government of Ningbo in East China is engaging the private sector and civil societies to provide diversified services for its aging population.

Residents in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, are familiar with 81890, a hotline that sounds similar to "dialing will work" in the local dialect.

The 81890 Hotline Service Center, which handles more than 3,000 calls daily, provides information and consultation 24 hours a day.

The center received 5 million yuan ($800,000) of government funding last year, said Ye Yang'er, its deputy director.

The center set up an emergency call system for senior citizens in 2005.

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