National Commission For Persons With Disabilities in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development on Wednesday in Abuja distribute National Health Insurance Cards to 500 persons with disabilities.
The enrolment of these Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) is an effort by Federal Government towards enhancing access to quality healthcare services by persons with disabilities.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Dr Sani Gwarzo, said this during the presentation of the NHIS Cards to the beneficiaries, in Karmajiji (disability colony) located at a suburb in Abuja.
Speaking further, he said that the move will ensure affordable healthcare coverage for PWDs across Nigeria.
He said that Federal Capital Territory is the pilot scheme, assured that the scheme would be extended to the 36 states of the federation.
Our correspondent reports that Permanent Secretary in company of The Executive Secretary, NCPWD made the presentation in the presence of Sarki of Karmajiji, the traditional ruler of the Colony.
The Permanent Secretary also presented scholarship scheme offered by the former speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila to some beneficiaries at the Colony.
The Executive Secretary of NCPWD, Mr. James David Lalu in his speech recalled that the enrolment exercise was facilitated by NCPWD and it is meant to lessen the burden and challenges faced by PWDs in accessing affordable healthcare services.
Mr. Lalu, assured PWDs of his determination to support their welfare and education of their children, to ensure a better future within the disability community.
He said that the commission have responsibility to ensure better living for PWDs
He also said that they have secured employment opportunities for PWDs in government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in fulfilment of the five per cent employment opportunities for Persons with Disabilities in line with Disability Act.
He commended former Speaker of the House of Representatives and Present, Chief of Staff to The President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, for accelerating the percentage of employment opportunities for PWDs in the country.
Lalu presented the paper of the land allocated to the members of the Colony and reiterated his commitment to ensure the development of the allocated permanent site meant for building of residential houses for PWDs at Zuba area of the FCT.
The Secretary and spokesperson of the Colony, Mr Mohammed Dantani, who spoke on behalf of the Colony, urged government to support the education of their children.
He thanked the federal government for its support towards uplifting the living standard of PWDs in the FCT
He also solicited government assistance for deployment of additional teachers to the community primary school in the area, saying that it has being overstretched due to manpower gaps.
“There are only three teachers to over 200 pupils in the school.
He appealed to government to increase the teacher’s ratio to help the children have better education.
”We don’t want our children to be on the street begging the way we are doing. Please, help assure the future of our children with better education,” he said.
The exercise is ongoing and the team is ready to visit more settlements of PWDs across FCT.
