Govt. flags off distribution of assistive devices

Government has flagged off the distribution of assorted assistive devices to Persons with Disabilities across the eight districts of Muchinga Province. The devices being distributed through the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) includes 60 wheelchairs, 15…

Government has flagged off the distribution of assorted assistive devices to Persons with Disabilities across the eight districts of Muchinga Province.

The devices being distributed through the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) includes 60 wheelchairs, 15 scooters, 172 white cans, 52 walking cans, and 150 sunglasses.

Speaking during the flagging off exercise, Acting Chinsali District Commissioner, Brenda Silwembe, who represented Muchinga Permanent Secretary, Tuesday Bwalya said the initiative demonstrates Government’s commitment to promoting disability, inclusion and improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities.

Ms Silwembe said the devices will enhance mobility, independence, participation, access to services and human dignity among beneficiaries.

“These devices are not simply pieces of equipment, but tools for inclusion and equal participation. A wheelchair can enable a person with a disability to participate in community matters, while a white cane can increase independence and safety for a person with visual impairment,” she said.

She further said Government has taken deliberate steps to ensure that persons with disabilities are included in social protection programmes, education, health, employment, political participation and community development.

Ms Silwembe cited the enactment of Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 7 as one of the measures aimed at strengthening the representation of persons with disabilities in governance at both national and local government levels.

She also called on district structures and stakeholders involved in the distribution exercise to ensure fairness, transparency and accountability, with particular attention given to persons with disabilities living in rural and hard-to-reach communities.

Meanwhile, Chairperson of the Chalilubemba Association for Persons with Disabilities in Chinsali, Evans Musonda, thanked Government and ZAPD for providing the assistive devices, saying they will help beneficiaries overcome mobility challenges.

“We thank the Government for remembering persons with disabilities. These devices will help us overcome challenges in movement and enable us to participate more fully in our communities,” Mr Musonda said.