Placido Hilukilwa
GOVERNOR of the Ohangwena Region, Sebastian Ndeitunga, is urging caregivers of People Living with Disabilities (PLWD) to make good use of the social grants paid out monthly and to always provide the necessary assistance.
Delivering his State of the Region Address in Eenhana on Wednesday, Ndeitunga said that during the period under review, over 400 PLWD were visited in their homes and given advice on their diverse needs and conditions.
However, many were found to be living in precarious conditions, lacking basic necessities such as food, bedding, and assistive devices like wheelchairs. Their general hygiene and cleanliness were also found to be lacking.
“The majority of them are left unattended for long hours,” he said.
He also revealed that nineteen students with disabilities were funded during the financial year; one student dropped out of school, seven completed their studies, and eight are continuing this year.
“There are still many children with disabilities who are not attending mainstream schools,” he added.
Governor Ndeitunga said that more than 130 people were referred for disability grants during the last financial year, but only 46 individuals were approved.
“People with visual impairments, epilepsy, and other conditions that medical staff believe are manageable with medication are struggling to access disability grants,” he said.
