The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has refuted reports of a shortage of milk and other supplies at the Palms Geriatric Home on Brickdam.
Earlier this week staff and relatives of the elderly occupants informed the Village Voice that the facility ran out of milk and other supplies several days ago. They reported that kitchen staff usually resort to using their own funds to purchase goods at the facility.
However, the Ministry noted in a release issued on Wednesday that the wellbeing and comfort of the elderly are given our paramount consideration. “Food and medical supplies are key to the welfare of the residents of this facility and are always in stock and on hand,”the ministry said.
The government agency said that the it viewed the “unfounded attacks” on this Elderly Care facility as unfortunate and reiterated the public stance and commitment recently given by the Minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud to improving the lives of this category of our citizens, with the opening of the Elderly Resource Centre in Region Six.
“Passionate about the issue of elderly abuse the Minister also indicated the launching an aggressive campaign to educate and sensitise persons, families and communities on this societal ill,”the ministry said.
A source at the Palms told the Village Voice that the supplies of milk and other goods were expected to be replenished by Wednesday of this week.
During the 2021 Budget presentation in the National Assembly recently, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud emphasised the efforts of the PPP/C administration to improve livelihoods of vulnerable groups. Persaud said the government was “laser” focus on meeting the needs of the elderly among other groups.
In this year’s budget, the Social Services programme was apportioned $25,067 million of the total budgeted for the ministry’s three programmes. The Old Age Pensions and Social Assistance programme makes up $23,590 million of the amount apportioned.
The Palms is home to close to 200 elderly occupants.
