Earlier this week we shared the story of Petrona Franco, "Mama Tona" from Big Falls Toledo who had suffered a stroke - triggered - her family claims - by the stress of a land dispute.
The family also claims that the demands of traveling back and forth from PG to the court in Belize City also contributed to her health decline.
And they were upset that her age and fragility were not taken into consideration by the courts who still ordered that she be present for sessions.
They claimed that they were also not allowed to assist her in court. Today we asked Minister of State in the PM's Office, Dolores Balderamos Garcia, about it. She has said that in this last lap of public life she wants to be an advocate for the elderly and aging population. She said today that she is aware of the issues the elderly face in court, but the family also has responsibilities:
Dolores Balderamos Garcia, Minister of State, Office of the Prime Minister
"This is where we need to help our elder people, this is where we need to help our senior citizens. But, you see, first and foremost I do not wear a cap of minister. When it comes to that I am an advocate now but when it comes to older people I think first and foremost it is families who have to take the responsibility. The government can't mind every elder person. The government absolutely cannot mind every elder person so the families have to take on that major responsibility. And where families reach out then they can also reach out for help from existing institutions and existing advocates etc."
