Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment, Urban and Rural Development, Christopher Sinckler (left),??at the consultation today.??At right is Minister of Public Works and Transport and the Member of Parliament for Christ Church South, John Boyce. (Image: C. Pitt/BGIS)
Elderly persons who have contributed significantly to the development of our nation, should be treated with respect.
This was stressed by Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment, Urban and Rural Development, Christopher Sinckler, as he addressed the Christ Church South Constituency Council’s Consultation for Older Adults, at the Christ Church Parish Church Hall today.
He stated: "This activity today is important. A country is known, among many things, by how it treats its elderly…how we treat them reflects on us".
The event was intended to highlight a number of social and health issues affecting persons over 60 years of age, as well as to seek out ways of solving them. A number of social and recreational programmes are also planned for the elderly persons in this constituency.
The Minister commended the Christ Church South Constituency Council for organising the programme, and assured the attendees that Government was also doing its part to ensure that the elderly population was well taken care of. He promised that, through departments such as the National Assistance Board and Poverty Alleviation Bureau, elderly persons with a range of problems would receive the necessary assistance.
Minister Sinckler also alerted them that there was an urgent need to regain the close community ties that were once prevalent in this society.
"We (Government) alone cannot be constant guardians of the elderly; that must come from the community as well. Neighbours and persons in ???the gap’ must join with the Constituency Councils to ensure that we have sufficient information to assist them…and camaraderie and friendship need to be restored in the community", he urged.
Also in attendance was Minister of Public Works and Transport, John Boyce, who is also the Member of Parliament for Christ Church South.