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Director (ag) of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), Jennifer Hunte (right),
presented Claudette Moore with the NIS Director’s Award.

NIS staff honoured

The National Insurance Scheme (NIS) has recognised and honoured several staffers who have shown outstanding commitment and demonstrated a valuable contribution to the department.

They received the Great Employees Matter (GEM) Award during the hosting of the NIS 52nd Anniversary Ceremony at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre on Saturday night.

Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Ryan Straughn, commended the awardees for continuously striving for excellence and maintaining high standards in their respective departments to ensure high customer satisfaction.

Reflecting on the theme, “A Nation’s Wealth is in its Health”, he said that it is indeed fitting and timely that a reminder be issued on the importance of having healthy minds and bodies and the impact these can have on the ability to be productive, and to contribute in the most meaningful way to the organisation one is a part of.

“In keeping with this school of thought, the National Insurance Department supports national efforts to increase daily exercise, eat more wholesome foods and
live healthier lifestyles. Healthier communities and healthier staff will have a positive impact on national productivity, the economy and the National Insurance Fund. It is imperative that we all play our part in reducing the monies spent by Government annually on lifestyle/ non-communicable diseases”.

In fact, Minister Straughn revealed that in keeping with its corporate social responsibility, and in recognition of the impact non-communicable diseases can have on the health of persons, the National Insurance Department intends to give back to the nation by increasing the frequency of its offerings of free health checks to the public in support of a national “Know Your Numbers” campaign.

“In this way, persons will be armed with the knowledge necessary to take action to address developing conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and obesity,” he explained.
The Minister in the Ministry of Finance further expressed that the National Insurance Department, established some 52 years ago, remains very much relevant, touching every household in Barbados.

In 2018, the Department received 61 877 new claims of various types and processed benefits for in excess of 40 000 pensioners.

“I salute each member of staff of the department and urge them to continue to show empathy, display a passion for your work, show utmost professionalism while providing consistently excellent levels of service on a daily basis to all clients.”

Minister Straughn also took the opportunity to urge other employers to establish similar programmes and reward systems as a means of motivating employees, providing them with recognition for the goodwill they bring to their businesses.

“Such programmes can only redound to your benefit and that of your customers, while contributing to a positive work environment which can only improve productivity.” (TL)

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