Rural people with disabilities feel ignored
Malawi Ministry of Persons with Disabilities and the Elderly has been blamed by some traditional leaders in Mulanje for what they say failure to promote the welfare of people with disabilities in rural areas.
Speaking in an interview with The Nation, Group Village Head (GVH) Chonde said government has failed to demonstrate seriousness in dealing with cases of people with disabilities, especially those living in villages.
She added: “What is surprising, though, is that every year the ministry responsible gets funded. And yet, there is nothing taking place on the ground. So where is the money going if it’s not trickling to the intended beneficiaries?”
Chonde explained that there is need to empower persons with disabilities with soft loans for them to enable them independent.
“Even wheelchairs are not provided as we expect government to do. This has to be looked into,” she said.
But in a telephone interview, director of programmes management, Tenston Kilembe, admitted the failure by his ministry to reach out to people with disabilities in rural areas.
“The problems are arising from the limited financial as well as human resources we have as a ministry. Can you imagine the whole ministry having 8 directors to cover the whole country? It’s our prayer that maybe things will improve in the next financial year,” he said.
