Department of Public Information, Guyana

Tag: Hon. Dr Vindhya Persaud

  • Night Shelter celebrates 20 years of helping the indigent

    Night Shelter celebrates 20 years of helping the indigent

    The Night Shelter opened its doors two decades ago to provide temporary refuge for the homeless, and now it has expanded its services to offer patient care assistance to the indigent.

    Celebrating 20 years in operation on January 8, 2021, Hon. Dr Vindhya Persaud, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, underscored the need for continuous infrastructural works and “delivery of health care and disability friendly services.”

    She noted that a number of healthcare initiatives were introduced over the last two months including the recruitment of five Patient Care Assistants to take care of persons with disabilities who are unable to care for themselves.

    A Mental Health and Physical Wellbeing programme was also added to the Shelter’s roster.

    “This is a collaborative effort between our Ministry and the Ministry of Health whereby persons who suffer from diabetes, tuberculosis and mental health related issues are treated at the facility by medical professionals. I would like to extend my gratitude to Dr. Jeetendra Mohanlall, National Tuberculosis Programme Manager, and his team for this timely support,” Minister Persaud said.

    Furthermore, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), through its ambulance service, has rendered emergency medical care when required.

    Meanwhile, in an effort to improve the existing amenities, the washroom facilities and the dorms are currently being retiled and repainted, while the electrical circuit systems are being rewired.

    IMG-20210108-WA0016
    IMG-20210108-WA0015

    Located at Arapaima Street, East La Penitence, the Shelter has the capacity to accommodate approximately 150 persons. It is a 24-hour sanctuary for those without a place to stay and provides a roof over their heads, meals, and other amenities. The Shelter will soon offer skills training and other programmes to reintegrate persons back into society.

    For the ongoing success of the Shelter, Minster Persaud expressed her gratitude to “the Administrator and staff for their service.”

  • Bill tabled to protect adopted children from exploitation, abuse

    Bill tabled to protect adopted children from exploitation, abuse

    -international adopts to resume on passage of legislation

    Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Hon. Dr. Vindhya Persaud on Wednesday, presented the Adoption of Children (Amendment) Bill to the National Assembly of the Twelfth Parliament.

    Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Hon. Dr. Vindhya Persaud

    The amendment of the Act will provide for the insertion of the new Second Schedule of the Principal Act – Hague Convention of May 19, 1993, on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. It will allow for more scrutiny regarding international adoption to protect the nation’s children from exploitation, trafficking and abuse.

    Among other things, the Act will provide for a home study report on prospective adoptive parents to be conducted by the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security. These include criminal checks and a full, complete statement of all facts relevant to the eligibility of the prospective parents under the Hague Convention.

    In October, Minister Persaud installed the Adoption Board which immediately began working to clear the backlog of adoption cases.

    Dr. Persaud, in a recent interview with DPI, said the Government halted international adoption because Guyana was not complying with its obligations as a signatory to the Hague Convention.

    She said once the legislation is amended, international adoption will resume and all international guidelines will be followed to ensure adopted children are placed in a safe and comfortable environment.

    The Childcare and Protection Agency in its annual review on adoption, stated that 40 adoption cases were processed this year. Twenty-three of these cases were approved by the current, and past, Adoption Board, which comprises 19 local and four overseas-based Guyanese.  Two cases were deferred and 15 awaiting legal documents.

    Additionally, the CPA developed a plan for the adoption of older children and children with special needs who are in Residential Care.

    The Adoption service is one of the substitutive alternative care services provided for children as part of the obligation of the Childcare and Protection Agency. It is legal and is designed to be the final/permanent family-based care option for children who have suffered abuse, loss of parents or can no longer remain with their biological parents.

  • Government to fund small cottage industries projects led by women

    Government to fund small cottage industries projects led by women

    The Government will soon be funding projects for cottage industries led by women so that they can secure their livelihoods.

    Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Hon. Dr Vindhya Persaud made the announcement during a virtual meeting of the Commonwealth Ministers for Women’s Affairs and Gender and Development on the COVID-19 pandemic.

    During her presentation, Dr. Persaud explained that the funding for cottage industries is among long term measures to be implemented against the COVID-19 pandemic which continues to have serious socio-economic repercussions on the lives of women.

    “As a consequence of the partial lockdown, significant sections of the female working population are now unemployed or are receiving reduced pay, including single parents. Many women-owned small businesses are no longer operational and women in the private care industry have lost their jobs because they can no longer work at the homes of their employers due to fear of COVID-19 transmission. The Government has instituted several measures to not only cushion the negative economic and social impacts, but that will guarantee sustained economic independence, reduce inequalities and empower women throughout Guyana,” the Minister explained.

    She noted that short-term measures being employed include the distribution of thousands of hampers and care packages targeting vulnerable communities across Guyana to bring immediate relief to families.  This is in addition to the $25,000 financial household stimulus programme that was recently announced by His Excellency, Dr. Mohammed Irfaan Ali to bring relief to every household in Guyana.

    According to the Human Services and Social Security Minister, the administration is determined that there should be no reversal of hard-won gains and that the progress towards achieving empowerment for women and girls, and gender equality should continue.

    Additionally, the incidence of gender-based violence has increased during the past months.

    Dr. Persaud explained that, “With more persons at home, there has been an upsurge in reported cases of domestic violence. The restrictions on in-person schooling has also seen more girls being exposed to abuse at home.”

    In response, the Human Services and Social Security Minister highlighted that a virtual help desk to receive reports of domestic violence, child abuse cases and requests for social assistance has been created. A hotline number will also soon be launched to specifically receive reports on domestic violence and child abuse, while a Survivors Advocacy Programme is also being implemented to support women impacted by gender-based violence.

    In addition, Minister Persaud reported that Guyana will soon benefit from the UN/EU funded Spotlight Initiative to address gender-based violence. Actions will be geared towards advancing changes in the prevention strategies and strengthening multi-sectoral responses to violence against women and girls.

    “The shining light in this difficult period has been the outstanding contributions of women in the response to the pandemic with many leaving their families daily to provide essential services to our population.  My government recently announced its intension to establish child care assistance for essential workers employed in both the public and private sectors,” Minister Persaud assured.

    She added that despite the debilitating effects of the pandemic, the administration will continue to look ahead and work tirelessly to address gender inequality, empower  women and girls, and ensure that their human rights and dignity are upheld.