BUDGET cuts have affected the support offered persons with disabilities by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.

Minister Jennifer Webster said under the Ministry of Finance, where the Anti-Poverty Programme is administered, the Ministry of Human services and Social Security receives annual financial allocations for poverty alleviation interventions. Because of the budget cuts this year however, the ministry has been unable to execute various aspects of the programme that are being offered for people living with disabilities.
Miss Webster noted that as it relates to persons with disabilities, the ministry was unable to meet transportation costs of community based rehabilitation (CBR) groups, which is among the supporting initiatives that they usually offer.
Currently, there are several CBR groups in Guyana which include Regions 2, 3 and 4, 5, 6 and 7. However, some of those groups are given annual transportation allowances to assist group members to attend meetings and travel around Guyana.
The minister noted: “It is not a service we provide here in Guyana like same countries overseas where you have a wheeltrack that is government’s contribution to support people with disabilities in one way.”
Another area of support affected includes the ministry’s ability to respond to requests for prosthetic limbs. Prosthetic limbs help the physically challenged to perform daily activities such as walking, eating, or dressing, thereby giving them another chance to function as they did prior to their disability.
The provision of hearing aids for persons with hearing disabilities is another service which the budget cuts have affected.
Funeral assistance to the tune of $30,000 was provided by the ministry, when families could not afford funeral expenses; with the budget cuts however, this too has ceased. The ministry would also provide financial assistance to senior citizens’ homes to help with their utility bills and maintainance.
The budget cuts have rendered the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security incapable of providing funding for services offered to persons with disabilities.

(By Clestine Juan)