Measures to reduce child disabilities in Kassena-Nankana East

Sirigu (UE), April 10, GNA - Three Non-Governmental Organizations in the Upper East Region have embarked on a sensitization programme in the Kassena Nankana East District to help reduce disabilities in children, which is very common in the area.

Afrikids Ghana, World Vision and the Community Based Rehabilitation Programme at Sirigu are the organisations.

The Project Coordinator of Community Based Rehabilitation Programme, Madam Mde Marjuline, explained that early health interventions in children save them from preventable disabilities.

She was speaking at a joint durbar in one of the communities in the Kassena-Nankana East District, on Saturday.

Madam Marjuline, who is also a health staff of the Orthopedic Unit of the Bawku Hospital blamed most of the disabilities in children on the failure of their parents to speedily send them to health institutions when the disabilities are detected.

She, therefore, urged parents not to delay in sending their children with disabilities to health institutions, such as the Orthopedic Unit of the Bawku Hospital in the Region, for prompt attention.

The Country Director of Afrikids Ghana, Mr Nicholas Kuma, commended the Management of World Vision and Community Based Rehabilitation Programme, for their interest in children and their cooperation.

His outfit, he said, was also working in the area of supporting poor and vulnerable children in the Region and would partner any NGO with common interests.

Mr. Kumah said Afrikids Ghana, which had been working in the District had saved many children with disabilities who were perceived by their parents and communities to be spirit children and did not deserve to be well cared for.

The Programme Manager of World Vision in Charge of the Kassena Nankana East District, Ms Eugenia Atani, said her outfit viewed children, especially those with disabilities as very important and would work with the two organizations to reduce the menace of disabilities in the area.

Mr. Gabriel Adongo of the District Education Office, who spoke on behalf of the District Director of Education, entreated parents to take advantage of the government's pro-poor policies on Education and send all school-going children to school and emphasized that they could benefit a lot if they sacrificed to take good care of their children in school.

Child Rights Protection Clubs from the first cycle institutions in the District put up a spectacular performance to educate the community on the Rights of people living with Disabilities.

GNA