Government through the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services , has signed a K2.5 Million, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, to facilitate for provision of wheelchairs and assistive devices for persons with disabilities.
The MOU is for an initial one year, subject to renewal and will commit to support government through the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD), with 450 varied assisitive devices .
The Church will also provide technical support and training of occupational therapists to ensure that support towards person with disabilities is tailored to their individual needs in order to minimize the impacts of multiple barriers they face on a daily basis.
Speaking yesterday during the signing ceremony, Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, Permanent Secretary, Ms.Angela Kawandami, emphasized that government recognizes the plight of persons with disabilities and their constitutional rights to effectively participate in all areas of life.
“I urge other organizations to come on board to compliment government’s efforts in assisting citizens with disabilities, because it is only by working together that we can help them realize their full potential”,Ms. Kawandami further said.
And Jesus Christ Church of the Latter-Day Saints, Humanitarian Manager, Mr Given Masetle, explained that the project will provide approximately 300 wheelchairs and 146 walking aids, and will also include training in the World Health Organisation protocol for wheelchair provision for 12 clinicians and 12 technicians from the Ministry.
He said the church is alive to the unprecedented challenges and needs of people with disabilities in communities, whose answer lie in the power of social partnerships such as this.
“We are grateful for the small part we are playing in helping our brothers and
sisters, increase their mobility, leading to greater happiness and self- reliance”, he said.
And ZAPD Director, Mr Frank Musukwa is happy with the development which he said will make a huge difference in the lives of people with disabilities.
