Sighsavers Pushes For Access To Public Places For PWDs

Sightsavers, a non-govermental organisation has advocated for urgent enforcement to grant accessibility for People Living with Disabilities, PWDs in public places.

The program manager, Neglected Tropical Diseases, NTDs, Mrs Anita Gwom made the call in Keffi Nasarawa state at a two day media engagement to intimate the media on the activities of the organization on disability inclusion, preventative measures on eye health and NTDs.

Mrs Gwom who applauded most public organizations in cities for compliance however, frowned that most organisations in the semi cities are yet to comply, making it impossible for PWDs to get. access.

While explaining the activities of sightsavers in collaboration with the government and other partners, she said that awareness on the preventive measures and cure of NTDs received a boost in prevalent areas.

According to her, Nigeria is about to overcome trachoma, which is one of the leading causes of blindness aside from glaucoma and cataracts.

Also speaking at the forum, the Eye health programme officer, sightsavers Ms Barbara Marok, called for regular eye screening as people above forty years have a higher risk of contracting cataracts and glaucoma.

She said that surgeries are done to reverse cataracts if early detected, but glaucoma in the advanced stage is irreversible.

On her part, Mrs Esther Bature called on stakeholders to ensure inclusive education for children already with disabilities which according to her, will give them a sense of belonging and assist them to achieve their full potential.

Mrs Bature pledgd the organisation’s commitment to partner the media in amplifying the voices of persons with disabilities to ensure preventive measures for avoidable disabilities.

Florence Adewale,Edited By Grace Namiji