State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Diethono Nakhro lamented that healthcare system was unfair for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and needed to be relooked to be more friendly and accessible for everyone, regardless of being a PwD or non-PwD.
She said this while delivering keynote address at the second workshop on “Rights of children with disabilities” related to health organised by Prodigals’ Home with support from “Office of the State commissioner for Persons with Disabilities” at Tourist Lodge, here on May 27.
Nakhro pointed out that PwDs faced so many barriers, both minor and major, while accessing healthcare.
She said even the examination bed of a doctor was a major challenge and an embarrassment for persons like her, who were wheelchair bound and has to climb up the high bed.
She pointed out that almost all the toilets in hospitals and other healthcare were not disabled people friendly and that many medical examination equipment were not designed for PwDs.
Citing a report published by WHO in 2020, she pointed out that PwDs face more premature deaths, to the extent of 20 years gap, than non-PwDs owing to healthcare system and facilities not being PwD friendly and easily accessible.
Further, Nakhro called for collaboration of key stakeholders and also inputs and consultation from PwDs whenever policies affecting PwDs were in question.
President of Nagaland State Disability Forum, Fatima Kera shared about scenario of PwDs related to health in the State.
Panel Lawyer, Dimapur district Legal Services Authority, Rokovitsu Khate, presented on the genesis of the RPWD Act 2016 and the various rights enshrined for PwDs related to health.
Dy. director, Department of Health and Family Welfare and Nodal Officer for disability, Kohima, Dr. Nitovi Shikhu, presented at about prevention, identification, intervention and rehabilitation related to disability.
Earlier, Phengna Konya chaired the programme and invocation by Yhunlo Thong, Chaplain, district Hospital Dimapur, welcome and introduction by K. Ela, director of Prodigals’ Home, a solo by E. Moba Konyak, a visually impaired person and benediction by Vizovolie Sorhie, pastor, Central Christian Revival Church.
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