KINGSTON, Jamaica –The Jamaica government says it will soon table to Parliament, a revised National Policy for Senior Citizens to provide adequate social safety net protections.
Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Shahine Robinson (2nd right), greets a member of the ‘Recycled Teenagers’ dance group of the National Council for Senior Citizens, Winsome Wedderburn, following the launch of Senior Citizens Week at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston (September 21, 2018).PHOTO: DAVE REIDLabour and Social Security Minister, Karl Samuda, in a message observing Senior Citizens Week 2021, said that document has already been approved by the cabinet.
Samuda said that the policy will be implemented over a period of 10 years and the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC) will be responsible for monitoring its execution and associated programs.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to the health and wellness of the elderly, Samuda outlined several programs and services that are available through the Ministry to treat with the needs of this population.
They include social pension for persons 75 years and older; the Program of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH); the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) as well as various social assistance grants, emergency relief and provisions for those most affected by the Coronavirus (COVID – 19) pandemic.
“The Ministry of Labour and Social Security continues to provide services for the elderly… The NCSC continues to engage and advocate for healthy, active and productive aging for our seniors,” Samuda added.
Senior Citizens Week 2021 is being observed under the theme: ‘Recovering with Resilience,” and Samuda, is calling for greater levels of volunteerism in the society to aid the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our seniors are among some of the most vulnerable in our society as some face serious socio-economic challenges on a daily basis. I am calling on the people of Jamaica for greater levels of volunteerism to provide much-needed support for our seniors during these trying times,” he said.
“The health, socio- economic, psychological impact of the global pandemic has been significant for the older adult population and it continues to affect their health and wellness, safety, income and food security, along with their social engagement and participation,” he said, adding that “volunteerism will be crucial for us as a nation going forward as it connects generations and allows us to learn from each other”.
Samuda lauded the strength of Jamaica’s older citizens whose resilience, he said, have been instrumental in Jamaica’s development.
He said that this resilience will be tested again and urged that assistance be given to older citizens as they fight to adjust and recover from the impact of the pandemic.
