Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of People, Social Development and Family Services, Dr. Natalie Chaitan-Maharaj, is urging the Opposition not to politicise the health of children.
Speaking during the debate of the Children’s Life Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2025 in the Upper House, she said the government is wasting no time in its bid to amend and further develop the scope of the Children’s Life Fund.
She said this fund was brought into existence to provide financial assistance to children under the age of 18 who are in urgent need of life-saving medical treatment, particularly those that were not available locally or accessible due to prohibitive costs.
Dr. Chaitan-Maharaj reiterated the government’s position, allowing for ministerial intervention in reviewing and bringing particular cases to the Parliament.
“In contrast, the CLFA cases currently take two to four months on average, with the shortest processing time being 56 days, a duration that is medically untenable when dealing with life-threatening conditions. This is precisely why ministerial authority to intervene isn’t merely desirable; it is an urgent life-saving measure.”
However, the Opposition maintained its stance that too much power is being given to the post of Minister of Health, who may not always be a medical practitioner.
Opposition Senator Dr. Amery Browne said he believes the amendment is unnecessary and lacks justification for the government’s proposal to empower the Minister of Health.
“If it is a case of expediency or emergency matters, why not give further powers to the chairman of the authority? If it is a case of timeliness or the inability to convene the board, why not give further powers to the chairman?”