The Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security is ensuring that all Guyanese are made aware of government’s social services and programmes aimed at improving their lives, through its awareness programmes. Minister of Labour Manzoor Nadir and a team of officials from the ministry and the administration of Region Three last week met with hundreds of residents at the Sans Souci Primary School, Wakenaam.
Minister Nadir, extending good wishes to residents from President Bharrat  Jagdeo and Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand, told residents that government continues to work tirelessly to ensure that the lives of the vulnerable, including the children, women, disabled and underprivileged, are significantly enhanced through social programmes and safety net interventions.
“I certainly see a lot of brightness on the faces of people; and clearly Wakenaam, with what I see this morning, has shaken off the image of being forgotten,” Minister Nadir said.   

Social Services
Minister Nadir told residents that the public assistance programme, according to the laws of the country, has to be approved by the local board of Guardians in the region and reviewed every six months.
He noted that while the public assistance process might be tedious to some, the programme is aimed at helping persons who are in difficult circumstances for a period of time.
“The programme is there for a purpose, for those who are facing some difficult period, and once those persons are back up on their feet and able to manage….. the programme will roll on to someone else who is in need,” Minister Nadir told residents.  
No one is removed from the list by whims and fancies, he explained.
“People have to show up for the half yearly review; and if people don’t get to the review; then their names are removed from the public assistance list,” Minister Nadir said.
Responding to an issue raised by a resident with regard to assisting the incapacitated, Minister Nadir explained that his ministry has put in place a policy whereby social services officers visit such persons at their homes.   
In addition to this, as part of the government’s commitment to further improving the position of single parents, beneficiaries of public assistance and old age pensions, substantial amounts were allocated to the Human Services Ministry to continue delivering its services in 2011 .
With effect from February 1, old age pensioners received a 14 percent increase, moving from $6,600 to $7,500 per month. Public Assistance beneficiaries also benefitted as they have moved from $4,900 to $5,500.
In relation to issues raised about old age pensioners not knowing when to apply, Minister Nadir said that two weeks after attaining the age of 65 persons should apply, since the process takes some time to verify information received.

Health Sector
The minister informed Wakenaam residents about a new programme that will be introduced by the Ministry of Health to promote healthy lifestyles.
“A national education programme on chronic diseases will be launched by the Ministry of Health and I am hopeful that you and your children will learn more about high blood pressure and diabetes,” he said.     
He said that while government expends billions of dollars annually to provide treatment for persons with chronic diseases, “the bigger issue is not about spending money to provide treatment, but rather about prevention, educating people about healthy habits for a longer life.”

Other issues addressed
Other issues such as unregistered births and the lack of proof documents for national registration for the upcoming general elections were also addressed by Minister Nadir.
The administration, since it has been in office, has placed much emphasis on the protection and well-being of its most vulnerable section of society, and this saw the implementation of several projects and programmes, including the Children Care Protection Agency, training for single parents, establishment of a White Zone, Women and the Men’s Affairs Bureaus, and a foster care system.  
Meanwhile,  Region Three Chairman Julius Faerber informed residents of the developmental plans listed in  the 2011 budget for the island, including the construction of a building to house the Sans Souci Nursery School and putting in revetment on  the embankment, road construction and drainage and irrigation works.  
The new building, he said, is to accommodate the nursery level children now housed at the Neighbourhood Democratic Council office.  (GINA)