The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has launched a new programme to provide extra care to senior 100 years and older in Guyana.
According to the ministry, “The Century Club” programme aims to bring ease and comfort to Guyana’s longest serving citizens by providing care packages, groceries, health checkups, vitamins, glucose testing machines and other services.
These items, the ministry said in a statement yesterday, will be procured directly through the Ministry and through collaboration with various businesses, organizations and entities.
“You will agree with me that when you hit 100 years, that century, you’ve done what not a lot of people not only in our country [but] our world have been able to do. I believe we should honour, we should salute, we should pay tribute to those who have. This is the Ministry of Human Services’ way of saying thank you to them and, really acknowledging their years on earth with us, with something that’s impactful, practical and something that I’m sure they will enjoy and appreciate. I’m very proud to launch the Century Club, and this is in honour of all those Guyanese who hit and surpassed 100 years,” Minister of Human Services and Social Security Dr. Vindhya Persaud was quoted as saying.
She added that the country’s senior citizens have contributed in diverse spheres and she believes it is incumbent on the ministry to ensure that in their later years they are able to enjoy all amenities, facilities and opportunities to have a good quality of life.
Additionally, the statement said the Ministry has been constantly working on ways to improve the lives of its senior citizens. Minister Persaud noted, “we have moved a great distance with regard to pension in terms of our increase in pension, the early delivery of pension books, the introduction of the banking system and also alternate venues and we are working on other improvements that will come later so that pensioners can really, not have to suffer frustration and hassle.”
During the month of October, which is the international month for the elderly, the ministry has planned a number of activities to engage senior citizens to positively impact on their mental health well-being and overall wellness.
