Social Security in Anguilla began a week of activities on Sunday, October 30 with its personnel attending a divine service at the Christian Assembly Church at Long Bay, conducted by Pastor Lucien McDonna.

Social Security personnel

The activities mark the 25th anniversary of the passage of the enabling legislation of 1980 bringing into being the Social Security System.

Early during the commencement of the service, Minister responsible for Social Security, Victor Banks, and Chairman of the Social Security Board, Marcel Fahie, delivered short addresses in which they spoke about the benefits of the fund and its continued expansion to meet some of the important social needs of the people of the island.

In a radio broadcast later, Mr. Banks said that next year the Anguilla Social Security System will be at the forefront of yet another trail-blazing vision – the introduction of a National Health Insurance System.

“The need for wide public consultations on this issue is evident and it is for that reason that Government and Social Security have already put the procedures in place for taking this forward with a view to an implementation date in 2006,” the Minister said.

He went on: “It is expected that there will be great national interest in this initiative and obviously a variety of opinions on the subject. This should make for healthy dialogue and discussion which we expect will result in a widely accepted solution to the issue of implementing a proper health services system as a social right. A health services system that is not only well-managed but also well-funded.”

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