As the Ministry of Health takes steps to embrace its portfolio of developing programs for the elderly, a ceremony was held recently to officially handover the Comfort Bay Senior Citizens Home to the Ministry.
Minister for Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs Hon. Moses Jn. Baptiste along with Ministry of Equity and health officials also took the opportunity to tour the facility.
Hon. Moses Jn Baptiste commended the staff and management of the senior citizens home for the work done on a daily basis and says he looks forward to working together to bring the institution to another level.
“Our responsibility as a ministry as directed by the Prime Minister, Hon. Phillip J. Pierre is to develop a program within our ministry which focuses on elderly affairs and for the first time in Saint Lucia, we are trying to develop this exciting program which will involve Comfort Bay Senior Citizens Home and the other programs which will focus on the elderly in Saint Lucia. There must be collaboration; we can not do this on our own. We must work with Department of Equity, we must work with Department of Sports, Education and everybody else to ensure that we succeed.”
Director of Human Services in the Ministry of Equity Beverly Poyotte says although it is bittersweet handing over the institution to the Ministry of Health, they remain committed to a fruitful collaboration.
“A change in the parent ministry does not speak to a change in the manner in which we care for our older persons. As a matter of face being under the Ministry of Health, we almost kind of take it for granted that certain facilities and amenities would become more readily available.”
Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Jenny Daniel says the Ministry of Health looks forward to continuing the provision of quality healthcare to the elderly.
“We pledge at the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs to continue to provide the necessary support and even maybe greater support in some areas so that the work that has began here can continue from now into the future. We know that there have been certain arrangements that have been put in place. We know there are agencies that have been liasing with the institution and we pledge to continue these liaisons and to seek greater liaisons when necessary to allow continuation of the work program.”
The Comfort Bay Senior Citizens Home is a residential care institution for the elderly which is located in Blackbay, Vieux-Fort.
Watch the Handover/Walk-through Below:
