The Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Hon. Rosy Akbar has put together a program to visit residential care homes in the central divisions to celebrate Mother’s Day tomorrow.
The Minister will visit and celebrate mother’s day with the residents of the Samabula Old People’s Home, Home of Compassion, Father Law Home and Dilkusha Girls Home in Nausori.
The Ministry has organised these programs in partnership with Telecom Fiji and Colgate Palmolive Fiji Limited.
The program will start tomorrow morning at 9am where by Minister Akbar will address the residents of Samabula Old People’s Home and treat them with free meals and gifts. The Minister’s visit is also to look at ways to improve the services and administration of these homes by the Department of Social Welfare.
Minister Akbar says it’s significant that the residents of these homes are recognized during important celebrations like Mother’s Day.
“During my ministerial tours, I have come to realize how some families have neglected those who are mentally and physically disabled. Majority of patients in St Giles Hospital and including those in these residential care homes, do not get the family support they need for their wellbeing.
Sadly, some of these residents in care homes have lost all contacts with their families and they cry for their loved ones. I urge families that have relatives in the residential care homes to please visit them and give them the care and compassion that these elderly’s deserve. This simple approach can restore life back into them,” Minister Akbar reiterated.
The Ministry currently supports 12,709 senior citizens through the Social Pension Scheme and likewise 42,475 individuals continue to be assisted by the Bus fare concession, including the senior citizens and persons living with disabilities.