Social Protection Ministry intensifies efforts in patient care, fight against sexual and domestic violence

Dec 24, 2017 News

---

The Ministry of Social Protection has racked up a number of accomplishments for 2017 and the plans in the pipeline for next year regarding patient care and the fight against sexual and domestic violence are numerous.
This is according to Social Protection Minister, Amna Ally who couldn’t be more elated recently to provide details in this regard.
With respect to Patient care at geriatric facilities, Ally said that efforts have been intensified. She noted that there has been training of Patient Care Assistants (PCA) in the past year. Ally said that the institutions that benefitted are the Palms Geriatric Home, the Chavez Centre and the Night Shelter. The Minister said that the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation made invaluable input in this regard. She said that training now enables Patient Care Assistants to be more equipped to be of service to the elderly.
“The Government is constantly looking at the improvement of the lives of our elderly. In 2018, the Palms Geriatric Home, which is one of 20 care facilities in Guyana, will benefit from a wheelchair accessible bus which will aid those residents who are wheelchair bound. The infirmary at the Palms Geriatric Home is almost completed. Within a few days in this year 2017, this facility will be completed.”
SEXUAL AND
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
According to Ally, domestic and sexual violence are causes for concern for her Ministry, hence a National Action Plan has been developed. She noted that there has been training for frontline categories of workers. She stated that social workers have also undergone training so that they can be au fait with the Sexual Offences Act, the Domestic Violence Act and gender-based violence, and have the capacity to deal with this scourge that plagues the nation.
In addition, model guidelines have been developed in keeping with international best practices to manage cases.
“I must say that it is an opportune moment and ground-breaking indeed when only last month, November, Guyana became the first country in the Caribbean to establish a specialized Court for the sexual offences. This court is outfitted with modern features for an enabling environment to deal with these issues.”
In 2018, the Social Protection Ministry will establish a Victim Support Unit (VSU) to service the sexual offences court. VSU will assist victims in identifying their needs and advocating their rights throughout the justice (pre-trial, trial and post-trial) processes.
The Ministry is also expected to establish its latest domestic violence centre prior to the end of December 2017 in Region Six.
CHILD CARE AND
PROTECTION AGENCY
Under the Child Care and Protection Agency, the Ministry of Social Protection is geared to provide the opportunities for a safe, stable and nurturing environment for children. In fact, it has implemented a series of initiatives such as the launching of the National Multimedia Child Abuse Awareness Campaign where daily ads and information sessions are illustrated on the television stations. The print and non-print media are used to promote this campaign. Ally said that in 2017, the Ministry commenced a programme that has reached hundreds of parents. The Minister said that this will continue in 2018 but with more involvement of community groups and religious organizations. “Day Care Centers in and around Guyana are an integral part of a child’s development. To date 260 child care facilities have been registered, but only 80 have been licensed. We look forward to the remaining set to reach the desired standards and be equipped so that we can have our children grow in an environment most positive and natural for their growth, well-being and protection.”
In 2018, the Ministry is expected to vigorously work to implement its programmes that will continue the journey to the good life for the people of Guyana.
“Our projections for 2018 will see the construction of a new Drop-in- Centre which will replace the previous one that was destroyed by fire in 2016. This new accommodation will be a processing centre for children and families in difficult circumstances. This will be a place to temporarily house up to 80 children and accommodate up to four families for a few days, while the risk assessments and care plans are being completed. Also, two centres for children are expected to become fully operational in Regions Two and Six in 2018.” Minister Ally said that next year, the Early Child Hood programme will move beyond the registration and licensing of Day Care facilities to earnestly promote the benefits of a child being exposed to early positive experiences during his/her first three years of life. Additionally, the politician said that the Child Care and Protection Agency will partner with religious organizations and local groups at the grassroots level for support services for families to prevent child abuse and to promote the wellbeing of children. The objective is to encourage communities to take responsibility for the safety and protection of children.
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
With respect to youth development, Minister Ally reminded that Budget 2018 outlines a $1.7 billion investment for youth programmes.
Ally said that the ministry will continue the implementation of activities under the various programmes that comprise the Ministry’s wide-ranging portfolio: policy development and administration, social services, labour administration and childcare and protection, to improve the lives of the people of Guyana.

---

---