THE government has set out on the right path to improve the quality of life for Guyanese citizens, some elderly staff of Uncle Eddie’s Geriatric Home have expressed.

This was their reaction to the benefits outlined in the 2021 Budget for senior citizens.
According to Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh, senior citizens will enjoy access to better health, improved social safety-net programmes, and increased disposable income by 2025. He made this proclamation at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre on Friday, in his presentation of the budget to the National Assembly.
Singh went on to state that, in light of the vulnerability of senior citizens to COVID-19, the government’s attention to their welfare has been heightened.

“Our government has prioritised improved services to our senior citizens, with a focus on chronic diseases aimed at decreasing comorbidities in the medium term; and reducing non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and hypertension, which affect many of our senior citizens. We have taken steps to strengthen the delivery of healthcare services, and our senior citizens will have improved access to primary healthcare services, drugs and medical supplies,” Singh had elaborated during his presentation.
“I personally think that it’s good to see the government is doing its job,” one of the caretakers at Uncle Eddie’s Home, who preferred to remain anonymous, stated.

“They’re doing what they should do as a government: they’re helping the people. A government is elected to help the country as much as possible, and they’re doing that. So they’re on the right track,” the woman said.
She also expressed her gratitude for benefits that were implemented promptly following the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government’s return to office in August, 2020, including the reinstitution of the water subsidy to senior citizens, and the increased Old Age Pension, in keeping with their manifesto promises to the group.

“A lot of persons receiving pensions don’t get benefits from anywhere else. They have to rely on the government, so at least they’re giving them some sort of provision,” another caretaker concluded.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Finance has affirmed that the government has commenced direct delivery and payment of pension to shut-in pensioners, including persons living with disabilities. To date 3,400 persons have benefitted.

“Government will continue to support and improve the care facilities for our senior citizens. With effect from March 2021, we expect that some private payment outlets will provide additional options for pensioners to cash their Old Age Pension vouchers,” he added.

Thus far, 28,270 senior citizens have benefitted from water subsidies. The increase of Old Age Pensions from $20,500 to $25,000 is estimated to benefit over 60,000 senior citizens, placing a total of $4 billion in disposable income in their hands.

With regard to ensuring that there are improvements in healthcare for senior citizens, the PPP/C government intends to expand their range of services to include a community nutrition programme, expanded services offered at home visits, and specific clinic days dedicated to care of the elderly, among others.