SHANGHAI: The Shanghai municipal government is to offer monthly allowances of 200 yuan (US$24.66) next year to senior citizens living on low incomes and in poor health under a new plan to improve life for its growing elderly population.

City officials will also encourage seniors living in rest homes in the city's downtown area to consider moving out to the suburbs, where they will arrange for special medical care for the relocated people starting next year.

Shanghai is one of China's most rapidly ageing cities. The Shanghai Population and Family Planning Committee has estimated that people aged 60 and above will account for about a third of the city's population by 2020.

The new measures are part of a larger plan to tackle some of the social problems Shanghai expects to face as its population ages. The plan will take effect on January 1.

Under the plan, senior citizens will receive an allowance of 200 yuan (US$24.66). Those residents who are in particularly poor health will also be eligible to receive an additional 200 yuan (US$24.66), said Jiao Yang, the spokeswoman of Shanghai municipal government.

She added that city officials would ask medical professionals help diagnose such seniors to make sure they qualify for the additional income.

Local government officials will also encourage senior citizens who are staying in rest homes in the city to consider moving out to facilities in the suburbs.

Jiao said the local government would arrange for preferential health care for low-income senior citizens moving out to the suburbs and increase access to medication.

The city is planning to pay to train doctors working in the suburbs to ensure a proper level of service for the new elderly residents.

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