The disabled plead for assistance

Midlands Correspondent
PEOPLE living with disabilities in Gweru have called on the Government to expedite the implementation of programmes that are meant to support and improve their welfare.

Speaking at the Annual General Meeting for people living with disabilities in Gweru last week, Gweru chapter chairman Mr Timothy Mpofu said there was poor implementation of Government programmes meant to support them due to poor resource allocation.

“We are calling on the new political dispensation to facilitate the allocation of resources towards programmes meant to support us,” he said.

“We are tired of vibrant Government plans that go down the drain due to lack of implementation.”

Mr Mpofu cited the Public Assistance Fund, which he said was only benefiting a few people.

“The fund should see all disabled people accessing the money because as we speak very few of our members are accessing the fund, yet we believe we must be a priority,” he said.

“We are failing to access total healthcare because the Assisted Free Medical Treatment facility only provides access to Government and council health services only, which then refer us to private pharmacies and diagnostic centres where we have to pay for the services.

“We need a universally acceptable medical aid facility for Government and private hospitals.”

Gweru Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Association chairperson Ms Audrey Rusike said vendors on shop pavements in the Central Business District were making it difficult for disabled people on wheel chairs or those walking with clutches to get around cities and towns.

“The vendors on pavements in town are now threatening our movement as we use wheel chairs and walking clutches,” she said. “We continue to urge the city council to clear the pavements so that we can all walk freely.”