Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud has assured Region Ten residents that her ministry is constantly working to improve the services being offered.
The minister, who was in the company of Linden Childcare and Protection officer Huette Moore, Senior Training officer of the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute (GWLI) Sanjay Pooran, Deputy Director of Social Services Hamwanttie Bissesar, and other officers, made the remark on Friday during her first visit to Region 10.
A release from her ministry said that at Coomacka, Persaud emphasized, “Each one of you is to be supported, provided for. The entire team is here to ensure that you not only know of the services we offer but that you are able to access the services right in your community”. During her first stop at Old England, the minister and her team sensitized and updated residents on the programmes being offered by the ministry including for persons living with disabilities, public assistance, and foster care amongst others. The ministerial team also distributed hampers, and several persons took this opportunity to sign up for the Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) programme.
Residents also benefitted from one-on-one interactions with Persaud. “We, my team and I, are here to troubleshoot, problem solve and tell you all about the good programmes that are ahead,” Persaud told residents. The ministerial visit enabled free eye tests, the answering of questions about the COVID vaccine and other areas. Training was also done with the Local Board of Guardians on public assistance programmes and how cases should be handled.
Persaud pointed out that the ministry has shortened the time for providing pension books, pensioners can present their life certificates via WhatsApp if they are unable attend an office, establishing alternative venues for pension payment, and a banking system that is now possible. All of these new systems, the minister noted, are in place to cater for issues that pensioners have. “I have always been concerned about the long lines at the post offices, so this triggered me to push all of this,” she said.
