On a busy Christmas Eve day, many persons in Anguilla found the time to enjoy a delightful Open House event hosted by the Social Security Board outside its main entrance at the James Ronald Webster Building.
Director of Social Security, Mr. Timothy Hodge, Staff and Board Members, were on hand to welcome the attendees from various parts of the island – and to present packages of delicacies and other refreshments to them as tokens of appreciation.
The Albena Lake-Hodge Steel Orchestra, under the direction of Mr. Michael (Dumpa) Martin, provided the musical entertainment.
The Director of Social Security commented on the December 24 event: “It is the Christmas Season, of course, and every year the Social Security Board says thank you to the people of Anguilla who have supported the programme which is here for the benefit of all of us. So we have this Open House and are taking this opportunity to say Merry Christmas and a very bright, prosperous, healthy and safe holiday season and 2020.”
Asked how he saw 2020 unfolding, Mr. Hodge predicted: “I think it is going to be a good year for Anguilla. I think we are going to have lots of positive economic activity which will drive the social security system to be even in a stronger position than it is at present.”
He added: “We are getting very close to forty years of the existence of social security, and it continues to exist for the overall benefit of all Anguillians.”
As to the expected creation of a National Health Insurance System for Anguilla later on, Mr. Hodge stated: “That initiative of the Government of Anguilla is an idea that has been around for a long time. But, with the conference that was recently hosted in Anguilla, I hope it has given a new impetus to bring the Health Fund into existence. I think it should be a national priority that we have a system that is affordable, accessible and delivers quality services for all.
“The Social Security Board continues to play a very positive role in the planning and, hopefully, the early introduction of the National Health Insurance System.”
