Lira, (UG):- A section of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in Erute South constituency, Lira District have received 12 wheelchairs worth sh12m that will help them in day-to-day movement.
The helping hand was made possible by Community Focus International (CFI), a charity non-profit organization in Uganda in partnership with Erute South MP aspirant and presidential advisor in Lango, Sam Engola.
The beneficiaries who hailed from Awiodyek, Barr and Agali were handed over the wheelchair on Tuesday at Community Focus International (CFI) in Lira City.
The Executive Director CFI, Mr Benson Ocan said the wheelchairs are to enhance the lives of persons with disabilities by providing a means of mobility among recipients.
“These wheelchair users are able to have access to social services and afford a living on their own, Many PWDS in the Communities still need assistive technology devices and this call on support for them,” Ocan said.
Nelson Odwaa, who spoke on behalf of persons with disabilities who received decried the challenges of transport which disabled persons continue to face and called for continued assistance from well-wishers.
“When it rains, people with disabilities have to dust on the mud because they lack a wheelchair, it is my prayer that well-wishers come to our rescue,” Odwaa said.
Susan Akullu, a resident of Starch Factory in Lira City and a mother of a disabled boy said the wheelchair received by her child will ease her from the transport she was spending before to take her child to school and health facilities.
According to Akullu, she used to part with 6000/= every week for boda boda who used to take her child to Starch Factory P.7 School which at the end of the month turned expensive.
Ferdinand Achai, the political assistant to Sam Engola, while delivering a message from Sam Engola at the handover of the wheelchair urged People with disability to have courage because being disabled is not the end of life.
He appealed to the Government to improve access to social services for people with disabilities whereas the community should change negative attitudes towards people with disabilities as well. “Good enough today you have come to get the support of Wheelchair by CFI. On behalf of Sam Engola, I want to encourage you that the wheelchair you will get should help you move likeable people. Keep it well.”
“Recently we shall have a health camp in Erute South specifically with a focus on teeth and implore you to come for it,” Achai said.
The health minister, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng earlier acknowledged that access and utilisation of wheelchairs to aid in rehabilitation has remained a big challenge in Uganda as a result of inadequate funding to procure wheelchairs and their accessories.
Data at Community Focus International (CFI) indicate that Children aged between 1 – 13 years who are beneficiaries of mobility devices are 35 male and 39 female totalling 74, youths aged between 14 – 30 years who are beneficiaries of mobility devices are 31 male and 22 male totalling to 53 while Adults age 30 and above who are beneficiaries of mobility device are 116 female and 108 totalling to 224 in numbers since 2017.
Currently, only 2 per cent of the 12.4 per cent of People with disability [PWDs] have access to assistive technology services in Uganda.
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