Kingston, Jamaica- Thursday, September 26, 2024: 

With membership now surpassing 12,000 persons, the Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP), at their Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Police Officers’ Club in Kingston on September 18, 2024, acknowledged that their increase in membership has strengthened the voice of the elderly for their advocacy in areas that include legislation, health services and pensions.
Proposed Elderly Care and Protection Legislation
In her report to the 14th AGM of the CCRP, Executive Chairman and Founder Mrs. Jean Lowrie-Chin informed the packed room and 90 online participants that the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security had written to the organization assuring that the proposed Elderly Care and Protection Legislation is being given priority. She noted that, in response to CCRP’s proposals, the Ministry said they are pursuing their research and that at the conclusion of their study they will organize public discussions with stakeholders, including CCRP.

Health Services
Regarding health services, the Annual Report noted that among the five new conditions being covered by the National Health Fund are three that the CCRP had lobbied strongly for, namely colorectal cancer, Parkinson’s disease and thyroid disease. The CCRP Chairman explained that those three diseases were identified by the CCRP after receiving recommendations from members all over Jamaica.  

Pensioners Tax Relief
The CCRP Annual Report also welcomed the increase in pensioners tax relief from $80,000 to $250,000 following the strong lobbying of the CCRP that included letters to the Minister of Finance.

Rockfort Mineral Bath Petition
Another telling sign of the strength that comes from numbers was evident in the report on the CCRP’s Rockfort Mineral Bath Petition. CCRP launched the petition for the reopening of the Bath on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, and within 5 days more than 2.500 members had signed the petition and over 300 submitted comments on past experiences of using the bath for health and wellness. The petition was shared with the two parties involved in the management and maintenance of the bath: The National Heritage Trust and Caribbean Cement Company. The good news is that those parties have given their undertaking that the bath will be reopened before the close of 2024.

Growth in CCRP Chapters/Parish Representatives
A highlight of the CCRP’s Annual Report was the growth of CCRP Chapters in Northeast, Central and Western Jamaica, and the wider Corporate Area that includes St. Catherine, St. Thomas, Kingston and St. Andrew. All Chapters now have Caring Committees that have developed Activities and Outreach Plans for their areas.

The growth in CCRP Chapters has resulted in a new set of CCRP volunteers who have become Parish representatives. Mrs. Lowrie-Chin described the parish representatives as “CCRP’s eyes and ears on the ground.” They provide information on the condition of seniors in their parish, make suggestions for action to be taken to protect them and improve their lives, and assist with the organization and execution of planned activities.

Hurricane Beryl Outreach
Mrs. Lowrie-Chin expressed the organization’s profound thanks to CCRP volunteers in areas of Jamaica that were hardest hit by Hurricane Beryl and noted that 100 care packages, valued at $450,000, were distributed to senior citizens who were severely affected by the hurricane. Distribution of those care packages was done mainly in St. Elizabeth with the assistance of the National Council for Senior Citizens.

CCRP also sponsored a fund-raising performance by the NDTC through which $790,000 was raised. This sum will be used to repair homes of the elderly that were damaged by the hurricane in the parish of Manchester.

Health Insurance
The CCRP AGM also expressed appreciation to Sagicor for the two CCRP Health Plans – the Major Medical and Comprehensive Plans.  The steep increase in premiums for the Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) was discussed and it was agreed that this reflected the state of the entire health insurance industry at this time. The CCRP Executive will be negotiating with the provider on behalf of members as the new premiums are soon to be determined.

Partnerships
Other CCRP partners that were commended at the AGM include Jamaica National General Insurance (JNGI) for their Silver Shield Plan for CCRP members only, and the over 100 discount partners that offer reduced prices to members.

During the discussion section of the AGM, members voiced their support for the advocacy being carried out on their behalf by CCRP. There were also expressions of deep appreciation for the many exciting excursions that are taking place, and which are helping them to experience the CCRP motto of “Life to the Fullest”.

Living Legacy Awards
At the CCRP AGM, members were reminded that the CCRP 2024 Living Legacy Awards will be held on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. Six Jamaicans will receive Living Legacy Awards in various areas of accomplishment. The CCRP Living Legacy Award was created to honour individuals over 60 years old who have contributed to the growth and development of the country, going beyond the call of duty and displaying exemplary service and dedication in their fields of endeavour.

The Caribbean Community of Retired Persons was launched in 2010 with the objective of being a vital resource for persons aged 50 years and over. The minimum age for membership has now been lowered to 40