Last Updated on September 22, 2022, 4:16 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Dr Geoffrey Hanley, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister responsible for the Social Development, Ageing and Disabilities ministries, hosted meetings with the staff in the various departments. The Deputy Prime Minister applauded them for their hard work, heard their concerns, listened to ideas to improve efficiencies, and spelt out new initiatives and programmes.
Positive changes concerning caring for senior citizens and differently-abled persons in St. Kitts and Nevis are expected to be announced as the ministerial leadership rolls out several changes in the coming weeks and months.
The Ministry and departments will give extra attention to expanding home care assistance for needy people. The Skills Training Empowerment Programme (STEP), a programme which also falls under the jurisdiction of Minister Dr Hanley, will be a crucial partner in this regard.
Dr Hanley instructed the staff to find 30 home care officers who will train and certify the programme’s newcomers. These officers will then work alongside you as home care officers,”
Dr Hanley further noted that this would help reduce current officers’ workload. “Your responsibility is to nurture them so that at the end of the day, they may become a permanent part of the ministry [or] be able to start their own business from the training.”
The Deputy Prime Minister also stated that opportunities in the care industry are increasing, and it was essential to keep up with the needs of society’s vulnerable. This programme aims to ensure that vulnerable persons are treated with dignity.
Dr Hanley noted that people who have a lack financial resources often apply for public assistance. Sometimes, people with enough financial resources may also apply for it.
The Minister for social development, aging and disabilities, expressed “We have to try our best to continue to be courteous to them because this must be a ministry of compassion and empathy, and I will, as Minister, endeavour to do my best to try to make sure that the necessary resources are available,”.
The staff welcomed the discussions and engaged in a frank dialogue with the ministers.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
