The Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindya Persaud has announced that persons who are living with HIV, Cancer, and various disabilities will now all be eligible for permanent public assistance.

“Public assistance will be provided to them for the rest of their lives. They do not need to be subjected to any other medical, or other tests going forward. This is something that has been very close to my heart and it really puts much into the hands of persons who are living with disabilities”, Minister Persaud said.

She was speaking at the relaunch of the Night Shelter when she made the announcement. It was explained that the move takes immediate effect, but persons need to be registered under the National Commission on Disabilities to begin benefiting from the initiative.

“Of course, we would like to put much more, but this is a step because no longer would people have to go before the local Board of Guardians who have disabilities, its automatic and all they have to do is to register with the National Commission on Disabilities and the Ministry, provide their application and you will be on the public assistance register and this takes immediate effect, right across the country and it will include persons who are living with HIV and those who have cancer”, Persaud explained.

According to the Human Services Minister, the public assistance programme will cover persons with physical as well as mental disabilities.

“I believe that this will help those who are in the caregiving world and care for children and adults and adults who perhaps, have the age of a child mentally. We want to ensure that those persons who are living with disabilities understand the Government of Guyana’s commitment to them”.

President Irfaan Ali recently announced a $100,000 one-off cash grant for children living with disabilities. The registration for that cash grant is currently ongoing.

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