The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security is making remarkable progress toward full digitalisation with the development of the Beneficiary Registry and Document Management System (BRDMS), a state-of-the-art software platform.
In partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Synergy International Systems Inc., this initiative marks a key milestone in the ministry’s effort to enhance service delivery to the citizens of Guyana.
Empowering Staff for a Digital Future
As part of this transition, the ministry conducted an intensive two-week training programme for its staff, focusing on key personnel from three core programmes:
Programme One: Responsible for policy development and administration.
Programme Two: Manages critical social services, such as old-age pensions, public assistance, support for victims of domestic violence, anti-trafficking efforts, and the operation of various care facilities.
Programme Three: Oversees the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA).
The final training session took place at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Friday, where Dr. Vindhya Persaud, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, delivered the keynote address. The training aimed to equip staff with the necessary skills to operate the new BRDMS software, preparing them for its full implementation later this year.
Dr. Vindhya Persaud, Minister of Human Services and Social Security
A Digital Revolution for Social Services
Minister Persaud spoke passionately about the transformative impact of the BRDMS, which will replace the current paper-based system with a fully digital approach. This shift, she emphasised, is not just about adopting new technology but about integrating social services into a broader, more accessible digital infrastructure.
“The BRDMS should be used meaningfully and purposefully,” Minister Persaud remarked. “It is a significant step, taking us from a paper-based system to a fully digital one. This transition is crucial, as it integrates our ministry’s services into the social security framework of society.”
Once fully operational, the BRDMS will streamline application processes, reduce response times, and ensure the security of applicants’ personal information.
“We see the BRDMS as an anti-poverty tool. It will identify people across Guyana who need support and ensure that they receive services in a way that is efficient and impactful, rather than frustrating,” the minister explained.
The BRDMS will also make social services more accessible, ensuring that no one is left behind. Thanks to the recently passed Data Protection Act, all data entered into the system will be secure and protected, fostering trust and transparency in the ministry’s operations.
International Support and Expertise
Lorena Salazar, the IDB’s Country Representative, praised the initiative as a crucial step towards building a more responsive and efficient social security system in Guyana.
“This is not just about implementing a new system; it’s about laying the groundwork for a more effective and efficient way of delivering services to the people of Guyana,” Salazar said.
Hayk Vardanyan, a representative from Synergy International Systems, elaborated on the technical side of the BRDMS. He explained that the ongoing process of migrating the ministry’s vast data to the new system is well under way. Once fully implemented, the BRDMS will support over 50 social services offered by the ministry.
Crucially, the system will shift the focus from an individual-based model of service delivery to a household-centric one, ensuring a more comprehensive and efficient allocation of resources.
“The ministry is moving from an individual-based service delivery model to a household-based approach,” Vardanyan explained. “Once a household is registered in the social registry, we can link its members to the appropriate services, making them beneficiaries of any social support provided by the ministry.”
A New Era for Public Service Delivery
With the BRDMS in place, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security is set to usher in a new era of streamlined, secure, and accessible public service delivery. This initiative not only promises to enhance the ministry’s operations but also sets a powerful example for digital transformation in the region.
[Extracted and modified from DPI]
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