Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Mary Navicha, says the government is committed to supporting and caring for people with various disabilities in the country.
Navicha said this during the official opening of the Artificial Limb Provision Camp at Zomba Central Hospital on Wednesday.
She said the government of President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika is committed to supporting people with disabilities and has allocated K2 billion to the Disability Trust Fund to assist people with disabilities, especially as we observe Disability Awareness Month.
“The ministry will use this disability month to assist many people with disabilities and reach those in remote areas to access various support such as artificial limbs,” Navicha said.
Speaking earlier, Board Chairperson for Malawi Council for Disability Affairs – MACODA, Professor Allister Munthali, described the camp as important because it will help many people.
“This camp is important because it will help many people and MACODA will continue to support this hospital and work with government,” said Professor Munthali.
Hospital Director for Zomba Central Hospital, Dr Saulosi Nyirenda, said the aim of the camp is to help people who do not have legs or arms by providing them with artificial ones, and to inform the public that the hospital has started assisting such people.
“The aim of this camp is to help people who do not have legs or arms by providing them with artificial ones, and to let the public know that this hospital has started assisting such people,” said Dr Nyirenda.
Dr Nyirenda further said the hospital had expected to assist about 200 people, but more than 500 people have come seeking assistance.
“We expected to assist about 200 people, but more than 500 people have come seeking assistance, so we appeal to organisations to join hands with government in supporting the hospital, especially in this work,” he said.
The camp is being conducted in partnership with the government, MACODA and various organisations, and it is taking place from 9 to 21 November this year.
By Chifundo Mota
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