The National Government through the Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs and the Bureau of Ageing, Disability and Gender are working to build stronger community relationships and support services to our delicate homebound citizens.
Over the course of the summer, Minister Baklai Temengil-Chilton and her team have visited and provided assistance to more than 20 homebound citizens and their families. “The goal of these visits is to make sure that our senior citizens, especially the homebound elders in our community have the resources and support they need”, remarked Minister Temengil-Chilton.
President Remengesau commends the Ministry for taking the initiative to build stronger relationships in the community by engaging with some of the most vulnerable members of our society. “Our elderly citizens do not always have the resources or the means to access services available to them. Bringing those services to their door step will ensure access and service delivery”, expressed President Remengesau.
Since launching the home visits, the MCCA has increased awareness of available services to the elderly population such as the subsidy of utility costs, meal programs, medical attention and other senior services. The visits have also enabled the Ministry to gain more knowledge from our elderly population of their needs, how best to improve the delivery of services and how we can work together to address them.
In partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Asia Child Support, a Japan-based nonprofit organization, beds and wheelchairs were delivered to those in need. AM/FM radios and sanitation products were also distributed.
The MCCA has also partnered up with the National Development Bank of Palau (NDBP) to look into delivering light renovation work at the Old Age Center and to provide light renovation and painting projects for our homebound senior citizens.
The Office of the President, the Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs, and the Ministry of Health will continue to work in partnership and collaboration to address the needs of all senior citizens and improve the delivery of services.
Our tradition of taking care of our community and our People is strongly ingrained in our society, our cultural practices and beliefs since the beginning of time. As it takes a village to raise a child, it also takes a village to care for our senior citizens, our mothers and fathers. The health and well-being of our homebound senior citizens and the environment they live in remains a top priority. (PR)