People with disabilities fault government on exclusion in covid-19 response programs

As the country grapples with the increased cases of covid 19, people with disabilities have faulted government for not including them in its response programs in ending the pandemic.

Speaking in an interview with Radio Islam, Asif Rashid Yasin Said of Salima said some of the containment measures such as social distancing and sign language are not disability friendly a thing that could lead to increased cases of the virus among people with disabilities.

Yasin said “government should go back to the drawing board and produce messages which are inclusive if the battle against the pandemic is to be won.”

In his remarks Federation of Disability Organizations in Malawi FEDOMA acting chairperson, Symon Munde said public information about Covid 19 has not been designed to help people with disabilities.

Munde emphasized that the messages should be released in a diversity of accessible formats including Braille and tactile sign language.

In her speech during last year’s international day for people with disabilities, UN country representative Maria Torres said absence of people with disability from the pandemic’s response has reinforced already existing discrimination and inequalities.

She said consultation with persons living with disabilities must be part of shaping our common next step.

In a separate interview minister of Gender community development and social welfare, Patricia Kaliati pleaded with the public to understand the situation saying even government was not prepared for the pandemic.

“We are working with all structures from the grassroots in as far as teaching people about the virus in concerned,” Kaliati

Kaliati said public health messages have been produced following all the procedures as stipulated in the ministry health.