NAB gets funding boost

Government is set to significantly boost the financial resources of the National Assistance Board (NAB) to enable the state-run agency to extend its reach in caring for the elderly and other vulnerable Barbadians.

Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Kirk Humphrey disclosed on Monday that in the coming financial year, the NAB will “have the most resources they have ever had”.

“We are talking about moving from a situation where the NAB in total was getting something like $13 million to a case where now we are pushing them nearly to $20 million,” he said.

Humphrey said that significant increase in funding would allow the agency to expand its staff complement to meet the demands of a rapidly ageing population.

He added that the Board’s request for two community nurses and a physical therapist had also been approved.

According to Humphrey, management of the NAB was also in the process of meeting Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s demand for the appointment of eligible workers to give them job security.

“I cannot tell you how many of the officers need to be appointed now but I must also tell you, though, that it is too much. The Government passed a policy that if you have been on consistently for three years, where there is a position you should be appointed.

“So, anybody who is in that position needs to be appointed. I have communicated this to the director, to the chairman, and so I hope to have some of those persons appointed soon,” Humphrey said.

Speaking on the challenges that senior citizens face, the minister gave the assurance that the proposed elderly protection legislation which the Government has been working on is being guided by a comprehensive policy.

He noted that his ministry has consulted with several agencies, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working to improve and protect the elderly, for their input on the legislation.

“We have also hired the University of the West Indies, through Professor Dwayne Devonish, to help us with the policy. The policy now contains components pertaining to financing for the elderly, and care of the elderly.

“It contains community services for the elderly as well, and the notion of moving towards community-based care because institutionalisation of the elderly, or children, or people generally is being seen now as a last resort,” Humphrey said. (AH)