Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh yesterday called for a “rapid and visible” reinvention of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) so that the organisation can function in a “new” mode of operation.
“The reinvention and transformation of the NIS into a modern institution must start today and it must be visible and tangible. People must feel it when they walk into NIS offices.….In every office, in every transaction…customer service, professionalism, resolving the backlog, keeping current with your records, making a diligent effort to find people’s contributions and update their contributions, making sure that the current contributors get their contribution statement every year,” Singh said.
He was at the time delivering remarks at a graduation ceremony for trainee inspectors and nurses/sick visitors which was held yesterday afternoon at the NIS Sports Club Ground, Carifesta Avenue.
According to Singh, everyone is required to reinvent themselves to keep pace with the rapid and steep transformation that is taking place in the country. “Everybody has to reinvent themselves in this period of rapid change…..The demand to reinvent itself is more relevant to institutions like the NIS than anywhere else,” he said.
He explained that the new cohort of inspectors and nurses/sick visitors is an “integral” part of the transformation and reinvention of the NIS.
As such, he said they have a “responsibility” and “obligation” to provide the best quality of service.
“You are a public institution, you serve the people of Guyana, you have a responsibility and an obligation to provide the best of quality of service, you have an obligation to do so and we must be intolerant of anything less,” Singh said.
“….I want you to take this responsibility very seriously. Not only from the stand point of dealing with pensioners and claimants with compassion but dealing with employers in a professional manner. In a diligent and professional manner…You are ambassadors of the National Insurance Scheme and the National Insurance Scheme is a state institution. You are therefore ambassadors of the Government,” he urged the graduates.
Singh also issued a stern warning that he has no tolerance for any public employee who mistreats private citizens. “I have no tolerance whatsoever for any public employee who treats private citizens of Guyana with disrespect, contempt and lack of concern. None whatsoever. I have no patience and tolerance whatsoever,” he added.
He said the NIS is a “compassionate” organisation and the employees are required to treat the beneficiaries with care, concern and compassion. “….Your clients are the sick and elderly. People who are at their most vulnerable. You have an obligation to treat them with care, concern and compassion,” he said.
Further, he urged the board of directors to conduct spot checks. “The change must commence immediately….Make some spot checks and see what is happening…..If you are treated badly the perpetrator must be bought to the board and disciplined,” Singh said.
A total of 24 inspectors and four nurses/sick visitors participated in the three months of training which commenced on January 17, 2022.
The course was divided into three modules. The first module exposed them to the laws, policies, protocols and processes governing the operations of the NIS while the second and third modules prepared them for the practical aspects of the job.
Chairman of the NIS board, Ramesh Persaud charged the new inspectors to change the status quo of the organisation.
“I would like to encourage you and to charge you not to come into the organisation and accept the status quo. Try to change the status quo. Try to say you are coming in the organisation not to become like how everybody else complains about others but to make the organisation and your job something the whole country will be proud of,” Persaud said.
“Don’t accept…..It is in your hands to make the organisation the type of organisation you would like it to be 50 years from now,” he added.
He also urged them that they are in service to humanity and they should be results oriented. “I believe that in the service you will provide (you have to) remember that you are in service to humanity. You are in service to the beneficiaries….Focus on achieving the right result…Be mindful and conscious of the people you are serving,” Persaud said.
Each graduate received a certificate at yesterday’s graduation ceremony.
Inspector, Edward Chow was named the best graduating student. He also received a special prize and trophy. Tokens were also given to the nurses/sick visitors.
