The Organizations of Persons with Disabilities –OPDs have expressed displeasure with the failure of the government to commit itself to the both 2018 and 2022 Global Disability Summits GDSs which focuses on the rights of persons with disabilities globally. Speaking to the journalists during the press briefing organized by the Federation of Disability Organizations in Malawi FEDOMA held in Blantyre, representatives from the OPDs say government is not much committied to the GSDS.
Taking his turn, FEDOMA Acting Executive Director, Simon Munde says there is a lot that has not yet been addressed in as far as improving the rights of persons with disabilities is concerned.
‘’Much as we appreciate that government has tried its best to make the much awaited Disability Trust Fund operational, we feel government’s commitment to the Global Disability Summit is much far behind in areas of inclusive education, health and most issues affecting persons with disabilities are still hanging. On 16 February, 2022 the country’s Vice President Right Honorable Saulos Chilima attended the GDS and it was our expectation in disability movement that government will make the commitment fully effective but a lot are still not yet done and we are not happy,’’ said Munde.
Sharing the same sentiments is Byson Chimenya of Malawi National Association for the Deaf- MANAD who says there must be effective commitment in area of health as many persons with hearing impairments are not taken care of when they want to get health services in public hospitals.
”Government must ensure that health officers are well trained on how they can treat persons with hearing impairments. We still have problems in communication when meeting health personnel and government must put In practice not just promising us and we are not seeing fruits at all,’’ said Chimenya.
The 2022 Global Disability Summit encourages governments to put much efforts in ensuring that persons with disabilities are attaining their rights fully and Malawi was among countries attended the summit.