Gov’t Has Developed the Mechanisms to Improve Quality of Life for Seniors – PM

Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller, has said that the government was committed to improving the quality of life of senior citizens, and had developed the necessary support mechanisms in this effort.
These, she said, included increased benefits under the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), the National Health Fund (NHF), the Programme of Advancement through Health and Education (PATH), among others.
The Prime Minister, in a speech delivered by Beverley Edwards of the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC), at the St. Andrew Senior Citizens’ Club awards ceremony held yesterday (Sept. 14) in Kingston, said that “this year, we have made a special provision in the budget of $150 million to provide shelter for poor, senior citizens”.
In addition, she informed, “the reform of our pension regulation, and putting in place a tighter regulatory framework, will also add to the peace of mind of our seniors in their golden years.”
According to Mrs. Simpson Miller, the government’s effort at improving the quality of life for seniors “will continue to be guided by the National Policy for Senior Citizens and the 1982 Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing.”
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said that senior citizens had a tremendous role to play in national development, and urged that Jamaicans enlist their support in this effort.
“Growing older is as natural as life itself, and seniors are important members of any family, community or country. Today, with seniors living a much active and longer life, it is important that as a society, we create awareness to empower and enlist their continued contribution in national development,” she stated.
Mrs. Simpson Miller further congratulated the NCSC on its 30th anniversary and encouraged the organisation to continue to empower seniors in the national development process.
“I am truly inspired by the high level of national involvement of our seniors, who, through the National Council, have become engaged in a number of meaningful activities, from the establishment of senior citizens clubs, to skills training opportunities and income generating activities,” she stated.