Labour Ministry Extends Assistance to St. Ann Mother and Disabled Son

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has delivered on a promise of assistance to a St. Ann mother and her disabled son.

During a Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) town hall in the parish in January, 65-year-old Murrine Steer made an impassioned plea for help for her 44-year-old son, Kadia King Downer, who is physically disabled and has severe medical issues.

On February 20, State Minister, Dr. the Hon. Norman Dunn, along with other Ministry officials journeyed to the district of Liberty Valley in Browns’ Town, where Ms. Steer and her son reside, to hand over several items, including a walker, toiletries, personal-care products, food, and household items.

During the presentation, Dr. Dunn made a commitment on behalf of the Ministry to extend further support to the son, who is a PATH beneficiary, and his mother.

“As a responsive Ministry, wherever the needs are, and as long as it is within our scope, we will make every effort to meet those needs,” he pledged.

He also used the opportunity to urge Jamaicans who are in need to visit the Ministry’s office nearest to them, to find out what benefits they can access.

“There are many different types of public assistance available to the vulnerable in society, and this is why we are having these town hall meetings/consultations across the island to engage persons to see how we can better serve them,” Dr. Dunn explained.

In expressing her appreciation for the well-needed supplies, Ms. Steer said the walker, which has wheels and brakes, will be of great help.

She told the State Minister that it has been very challenging and expensive to take care of her son, especially getting him to places.

“Many times, I would have to carry Kadia on my back,” she said.

The PATH programme has been in existence for more than 20 years, and the Ministry is looking at how it can be re-engineered to make it more applicable to the needs of persons such as Ms. Steer and her son.

As of August 2023, PATH had 285,000 beneficiaries, 65 per cent of whom are children; 27 per cent are elderly persons; and the remainder are persons with disabilities, pregnant and lactating women, indigent adults, and others.

Upcoming PATH town hall meetings are scheduled for Wednesday, March 13 at the St. Gabriel’s Anglican Church Hall in May Pen, Clarendon and on Thursday, March 21 at Wolmer’s Boys’ School auditorium, Kingston.