30 Apr 2014

Botswana should recognise the need to break down barriers to health and wellness for people with disabilities, an official with the district administration has said.

Speaking at the best couple pageant for disabled people recently, Onalenna Daniel called for the elimination of barriers for people living with disabilities (PLWDs)

Daniel, a principal assistant district officer, also called for concerted action to be undertaken through public-private partnerships spanning all levels of governments so that full potential of disabled people could be realised.

“We must become a nation that makes health and wellness for people with disabilities a priority,” he said.

With the recognition that disability was not an illness, he said, the nation could increasingly emphasise continuity of care and the relationship between disabled people and their environment.

He said disabled people were at risk of acquiring HIV because of their vulnerability; and they should therefore be given chance to test for the virus.

He also said double efforts were needed so that disabled people could achieve full access to disease prevention and health promotion services.

He explained that at any time, anyone was at risk of acquiring a disability through illness, injury, genetics or any number of possible causes and such chances increased as one is aging.

Diane Masogo, the coordinator of Tshidilong Centre, said the centre wanted to make a difference in the lives of disabled people, hence a fund-raising beauty pageant.

The centre’s administration officer, Messiah Ntlhaeletsang, said money was needed to build a classroom. At present, a kitchen was used as a classroom.

Ntlhaeletsang said participating in the beauty pageant was evidence that disability was not inability. The pageant gave the disabled the opportunity to show case their talents. Only disabled people contested in the pageant.

Brightfield Shadi and Boitumelo Leteemane were crowned the best couple while Tsaone Keafetole and Itumeleng Rabakane took position two. Boago Phuduhudu and Thuso Sebedie couple got third position. ENDS