Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education director of inclusive education Vessium Phiri has commended Parents of Disabled Children Association of Malawi (Podcam) for screening children in Mchinji District for various disabilities.
Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, he said the screening identified children with various disabilities, including skin disorders, mental health challenges, sight problems, physical and hearing impairments.
He said: “The goal is to provide necessary medication or resources such as wheelchairs, glasses or hearing aids to enable these children to access education on an equal footing with their peers.
“We are hoping that the results of this screening will help fulfil our vision.”
Podcam project officer Chikondi Chitaukali highlighted the exercise’s success despite challenges such as low turnout due to miscommunication.
“Medical experts conducted thorough assessment and the programme provided immediate assistance to children with conditions such as cerebral palsy and epilepsy,” she said.
Chitaukali said Podcam conducted the exercise in partnership with Kamuzu Central Hospital, Mchinji District Hospital, Malawi Against Physical Disabilities and Malawi Council for Disability Affairs.
In his remarks, Malawi Against Physical Disabilities children’s doctor Howard Mwawa emphasised the need to help children with mobility assistive devices.
“We have seen children travelling long distances to attend school, but their walking difficulties hinder their learning. Some are even unable to continue their education due to lack of wheelchairs,” he said.
A mother Positani Mwale from Kachaje Village in T/A Siphasi said her 13-year-old granddaughter Promise Taulino, who has sight disability and epilepsy, is unable to walk or sit due to cerebral malaria that she suffered when she was a baby.
She asked well-wishers for a wheelchair for Promise.
Podcam is implementing the programme with support from Save the Children
