Minister of Trade and Industry Paula Gopee-Scoon has praised the establishment of the Geriatric Society of Trinidad and Tobago (GSTT) which was launched on October 16, at Hyatt Regency, Port of Spain.
The GSTT was set up by Dr Lavanya Thondavada, a trained physician in elderly care, with the aim of promoting healthy lifestyle among ageing people, a media release said.
[caption id="attachment_1043475" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Theodora Forbes, centre, honoured for her role in teaching, receives her gift from by Minister of Trade and Industry Paula Gopee-Scoon. -[/caption]
She is supported by Roman Catholic vicar general Fr Martin Sirju and Dr Jacqueline Sabga who endorse the thrust to encourage elderly people to engage in physical activity and develop healthy diets, the release said.
The GSTT plans to develop outreach programmes to benefit a wide cross section of people.
[caption id="attachment_1043474" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Minister of Trade and Industry Paula Gopee-Scoon makes a presentation to Ramganie Bob Gopee. -[/caption]
Among those honoured at launch were John Andrews, Kathleen Chan Wing, Lynette Audain, Venus Sabga, Sixtus Pierre, Ramganie Bob Gopee, Theodora Forbes, Joyce Welch, Lennox Toussaint, Dr Vijay Narayansingh, June Joseph, Gangadai Bhawansingh, Barbara Moutett, Pauline Clarke, Susan De Verteuil and Mary Pereira.
The GSTT comprises three board members with Thondavada as president, vice president is Dr Jaqueline Sabga, and Father Martin Sirju is executive director.
[caption id="attachment_1043473" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Sixtus Pierre is honoured for his work in agriculture at the launch of the Geriactric Society of TT. -[/caption]
Thondavada has specialties in dermatology, gerontology and diabetes while Sabga is a general practitioner with wide experience in the treatment of cancer patients. Sirju is administrator of the Roman Catholic Cathedral and the church’s representative on the IRO.
Thondavada made a presentation outlining how the ageing population has increased over the years and the wide variety of responses needed so that the elderly may have quality care and enjoy happy lives, the release said.
[caption id="attachment_1043472" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Venus Sabga is recognised for her work in the private sector where sheis stll employed. -[/caption]
Special appreciation was shown to John Andrews, former director and consultant in the area of mineralogy, and Joyce Wells, 97, a fine example of ageing, the release said.
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According to the UN World Population Prospects (2019), by 2050, one in six people in the world will be over age 65 (16 per cent), up from one in 11 in 2019 (9 per cent). By 2050, one in four people living in Europe and Northern America could be aged 65 or over, the release said.
[caption id="attachment_1043471" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Lynette Audain is honoured for her work with the Girls Guides at the launch of the Geriatric Society of TT. -[/caption]
In 2018, for the first time in history, pe
