–replete with new amenities, more staff, the whole works

By Alisa Lashley

MINISTER of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud announced Tuesday that she’ll see to it that the Night Shelter, a State-run safe haven on the edge of the city for the homeless, is restored to the sanctuary it was intended to be. Coming shortly after a tour of the facility the said day, Minister Persaud said that while there, she was able to evaluate the kitchen area, sleeping quarters, sanitary block, and the recreational hall, and immediately came to the conclusion that the place is badly in need of a major overhaul.

“The facility needs to be upgraded, along with more staff being brought onboard,” Minister Persaud said. “The residents, as well as the current staff have expressed a number of concerns, such as having access to medication and medical care in the facility, because we are now operating under a new normal, which is the COVID pandemic,” she added.

In the circumstances, she has committed to ensuring that the facility has more amenities, such as beds, mattresses, pillows, sheets, and healthy meals, in the immediate future.

“Coming from a medical background,” she said, “I know the elderly have different health issues. As such, their needs will be different, depending on if they are hypertensive, diabetic or they have any other chronic disease conditions.”

Plans are also in train to upgrade and add new washroom facilities, and those facilities will also cater to persons who are living with disabilities.
In closing, Minister Persaud said that not only are those upgrades to the facility vital, through programmes and activities such as board games, reading material and television to provide more recreational options for the residents.

A suggestion box is expected to be later installed at the facility, so that residents can put forward their ideas on how it can be made to make the atmosphere of the shelter more uplifting.

While on the road, Minister Persaud also paid a visit to the Family Enhancement Services Department, which falls under the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.

On her appointment to office, Dr. Persaud solidified her commitment to ensuring that her ministry is more effective and efficient in dealing with members of the public, in order to provide a better quality of life for all Guyanese citizens.