Diaper vending machines for senior citizens soon

Gurvinder Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 25

After the installation of automated sanitary napkin vending machines at girls’ schools in the district, the district administration is going to get diaper vending machines for senior citizens as well.

It would be a low-cost machine, in which adult diapers would be available after putting coins in the machine. It would initially be installed at the Senior Citizens’ Home at Sarabha Nagar.

Deputy Commissioner Ravi Bhagat said senior citizens, in the twilight years, especially those aged above 80 face inconvenience and need adult diapers while they travel. “Ready availability of adult diapers would add to their convenience in the old age,” he said.

Many accidental victims also need such diapers. “We have got the machines made from a company in Bangalore as none of the companies in the region are making these vending machines. Even the diapers are sourced from China, which are expensive, but we have tried to bring down the cost to Rs 40 a pack,” the Deputy Commissioner said.

Five such machines have been made, but one would be installed for now. “We’ll see the response it gets. Depending on the response, we’ll get the rest of the machines installed at other places, including hospitals,” he said.

Senior citizens said adult diapers were needed and a vending machine would add to their convenience.

“It is a major inconvenience to seek help from others in this age. Adding to the inconvenience and embarrassment, clothes also spoil,” a senior citizen at Sarabha Nagar said. “If something like this is made for senior citizens, it would simply be a boon, a respite for us in this age as we won’t have to be dependent on others,” he said.