20 Dec 2017

Research, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer from Disability Office in the Office of the President, Mr Phinda Khame

has applauded Madikwe Community Care Group for hosting the first ever International Day of People With Disabilities for river villages at Ramonaka recently.
Mr Khame said by observing the day, the aim was to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and wellbeing of persons with disabilities.

This year’s theme; “Transformation towards sustainable and resilient society for all,” he said called for individuals to create an environment that would be conducive to the people living with disabilities and to ensure that the environment continued to support them throughout.
“The transformation towards sustainable and resilient society provides an opportunity for persons with disabilities to address their challenges through collective efforts with other stakeholders to design and implement affordable and innovative solutions” he said.

Mr Khame further said people with disabilities were faced with challenges such as stigma, discrimination while their caregivers were equally overwhelmed by the situation.
He also explained that there was an array of unmet needs across the health care sector particularly around disease prevention and treatment.

However, he said the country had demonstrated commitment to equity and social inclusion in its Vision 2036, and endeavors to empower people with disabilities to have access to service and socio-economic opportunities enjoyed by all Batswana.
Mr Khame encouraged caregivers, families and communities to create awareness on the challenges faced by the people with disabilities and advance possible mitigation measures.

He also said the community should engage people with disabilities and their caregivers and empower them.

Outlining the objectives of the day, chairperson of the Madikwe Community Care Group, Dr Lilian Moremi said the aim of the day was to commemorate International Day of People with disability, which was commemorated in Mochudi recently. Dr Moremi said the purpose of the day was to promote understanding of issues related to disability, to raise awareness and to promote the rights and dignity of people living with disability.

She explained that according to the population census in 2011, they recorded about 401 people living with disabilities in river villages, and she encouraged those who had not registered to register and get the right help.
Dr Moremi also appreciated the support they get from the society as it showed that they care for the wellbeing of people with disabilities.

An official from Department of Health Management Team Kgatleng, Ms Vinolia Kalanke said it was the society’s responsibility to reduce disability by taking the rightful health precautions.
Ms Kalanke also encouraged people living with disability to work on their abilities and talents so that they could make a living out of them.

She also acknowledged government’s efforts of assisting people with disabilities saying programmes meant to eradicate poverty could benefit them. ENDS