By Laurina B Lormia
(Cub-Reporter)
The World Health Organization (WHO) has pledged its collaboration with the Liberian Government and the office of the Second Lady to prioritize people living with disabilities in the country’s health agenda.
Addressing the issue during the donation program organized by WHO and held at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center on Tuesday, April 2, Clement Peter, WHO Representative, said that access to health is the right of persons with disabilities.
The WHO donated mobility equipment to the disabled community in collaboration with the Liberian Government, through the office of the Second Lady, Stephenie Dahn-Koung.
According to Peter, the donation given to John F. Kennedy Medical Center and the Monrovia Rehabilitation Center included sixteen wheelchairs and twenty cane sticks.
The indoor program was graced by the dozens of members of the disabled community, faculty, and staff of the JFK, among others.
“The donation is in connection with the many events being celebrated as part of preparation for World Health Day, which is expected to be celebrated under the theme, ” My health, my right”, championing the right of good health for everyone, everywhere,” Peter stated.
Serving as proxy of the Second Lady, Joyce C. Kenkpen, expressed excitement and appreciation to WHO and its partners for the donation.
According to her, the Second Lady, as Executive Director of the Group of 72, is extremely grateful to the WHO for buttressing her efforts and that of the government.
“We are grateful to WHO and its partners for the kind gesture today and donation; the office of the Second Lady remains committed to advocating and finding solutions, if it means influencing policy decisions that will change the trajectory of how people with disabilities are treated, seen, and reduce the undignified behavior of other people towards them,” she concluded.
The Officer in Charge (OIC) at the National Commission on Disability, Hannah Watson, and Madam Dama R. Yekeson-Koffa, General Administrator of the JFK, expressed excitement for the recognition and donations, and hoped for more.
“We acknowledge the challenges that our people are faced with. We want to thank WHO and its partners for seeing the need to identify with us, and we want more to come because there are many challenges facing people living with disabilities, especially access to healthcare, education, and welfare,” they said.
