Hari Krishan is a 70-year old resident of the Indian village of Berka. He suffers from chronic bronchitis and asthma.

With a pension of 550 rupees, or $11, which goes mostly on medical treatment, he and his wife are left with little to run the house.

(SOUNDBITE)(Hindi) 70-YEAR-OLD VILLAGER, HARI KRISHAN, SAYING:

"Our only wish and request is that the government can open some hospital or clinic here where we can get treatment without spending from our pockets. If we can get free treatment, that would be immensely helpful for us."

According to the World Health Organisation, India's elderly population will soon outnumber young children, putting a massive strain on its economy.

WHO''s India representative, Doctor Nata Menabde, says the government needs to take urgent action, especially for the poor.

(SOUNDBITE)(English) WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION INDIA REPRESENTATIVE DOCTOR NATA MENABDE SAYING:

"80 percent of healthcare costs are born by people out of pocket and that obviously leaves those who do not have money, disadvantaged and left behind."

WHO has designated April 7th World Health day, with a campaign focusing on ageing and health.

Menabde says healthcare for India's elderly will soon reach critical level.

(SOUNDBITE)(English) WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION (WHO) INDIA REPRESENTATIVE DOCTOR NATA MENABDE SAYING:

"The projections are that we will have some, between 12 to 13 percent of elderly as part of entire population by the year 2025 and that we are going to reach some 17 percent of the population being elderly by 2050. Now that is every fifth Indian being elderly, which is going to be a very different society as a whole which needs to be seriously taken into consideration."

Until then, the elders of Berka continue to rely on family, and the kindness of their neighbors.

Sarah Wali, Reuters