Fedoma accuses govt of poor treatment

Federation of Disability Association of Malawi (Fedoma) on Wednesday accused government of sidelining people with disabilities and ignoring their needs.

Fedoma board chairperson Nitta Hanjahanja said it is a pity that government chooses to be selective in the execution of its duties towards the public, with those with disabilities usually on the receiving end.

She was speaking at a function held at Capital Hill in Lilongwe where Fedoma donated assistive devices to students with disability.

“As you can see, this is just a make-shift venue for us, for our function. If this function was for the able-bodied, some tents would have been erected to provide shelter.

“How can we flee in case of some bee attack or, God forbid, a snake? We are rendered helpless in such situations and that’s a shame for government to do in this age and era, where it continues to preach human rights and yet fails to live up to the same,” she said.

Hanjahanja urged government to consider making deliberate policies to make all public offices accessible to all, including the physically challenged.

Director for primary school education in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Joseph Chimombo, admitted government’s insensitiveness on the matter.

“It’s a pity Fedoma has had to rebuke us over the matter when we could have done better. We have taken note of their observation and I’m sure this eye-opener will be responded to with the urgency it deserves,” he said.n