Early screening of children with disability crucial

Early screening of children with disability and learning difficulties has been described as one way of helping reduce impacts of disabilities in children.

The remarks, by Pauline, Simwaka, chief Children Affairs Officer in department of child affairs in ministry of Gender, Disability and Social Welfare, come as Malawi joins the rest of the world in commemorating this years’ international day of people with Disability.

Simwaka, says they have discovered that many children who reside in areas where there are no childhood projects a lot of children with disabilities are left out of school and other social activities which affects their livelihoods described it as worrisome.

She has since disclosed that this why government through ministry of gender has incorporated a strategy which ensures that all children in Early Childhood centers are screened so that they can be assisted to reach their full potential.

Speaking during the opening day of the International Day of Persons with disabilities in Dedza, Malawi Council for Disability Affairs MACODA board of trustee, Alex Dzimkambani, emphasized the significance of empowering disability rights as part of the journey towards Malawi 2063.

He said the 2018 National Population Census revealed that there are over 1.7 million persons with disabilities in the country with over 85% living in extreme hence the need to join hands in empowering them economically.