Statement by Health Minister on the implementation of the Golden 80 Plus Health Package

Elderly citizens to benefit from Golden 80 Plus Health Package from July 1st, 2023.

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the establishment of the Golden 80 Plus Health package. Beginning July 1st, 2023, all citizens eighty years and older, can access medication, hearing services and eye care services at our community wellness centres at no cost. Those free services are available upon submission of any form of national identification.

The benefit package includes the following:

1. The provision of prescription drugs at the Community Wellness Centres at no cost

2. Access to one annual hearing test at the Community Wellness Centres offering the services

3. Eye care services at our community wellness centres

4. Access to eye screening and surgery at the Cuban Eye Clinic located at the Old Victoria Hospital Plant

Older people are defined as individuals who have attained the age of sixty-five years and older. During the aging process, there is an increased need for the implementation of measures to address emerging vulnerabilities given that health conditions are likely to arise and impact the condition of life and health of the elderly.

Care for the elderly is of particular importance to the Government of Saint Lucia. During the past year, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs, has engaged a consultant to prepare the National Policy for Older Persons. This policy will address key issues which have impacted the elderly population, and will provide guidance in the development of a structured programme for the elderly in Saint Lucia.

“At this stage, most people would have retired from active employment and would be receiving National Insurance Corporation pensions or private sector pensions. One of the most vulnerable groups, comprises individuals who are eighty years and older. A significant proportion of these people do not receive pensions and rely on family members for support. They also experience the implications of failing health usually associated with the ageing process and/ or non-communicable diseases. Most of those individuals do not have the capacity to access preventative health care and treatment. This is

reflected in the increasing numbers of people over eighty years who access the Medical Assistance Program implemented by the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs.

“The Government of Saint Lucia is aware of the importance of providing healthcare support for all older people, sixty -five years or older. However, this year’s programme will allow us to evaluate the structure of our initiative, assess its effectiveness and refine a proper model for the delivery of services to more people during the coming years. This is just a start, and I look forward to the benefits of these services from July 1, 2023,” said the Minister for Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs-Hon Moses Jn. Baptiste.

A formal launch of the ‘Golden 80 Plus Health Package is carded for a later date. “Our elderly have played their part in national development and in shaping the socio-economic environment that we have come to enjoy. We care about the welfare of our elderly and we will take action to make life better for them,” The Minister added.