Special desk to be established in govt hospitals for the disabled

A special desk would be established in all government hospitals to provide free medical treatment to `Persons with Disabilities’ (PWDs) on priority.
“Special identity cards for PWDs would be needed to avail this facility, besides a number of other incentives, including a 50 percent concession on air and train fare, jobs on reserved quota, etc”, said Secretary Capital Administration and Development (CADD), Riffat Shaheen Qazi on Thursday.
Addressing a ceremony as chief guest to celebrate “Happiness Day: An inclusive Society for Children with Disabilities” at the Al-Farabi National Special Education Center, she said that special measures will be taken to ensure the inclusion of PWDs in society.
The ceremony was organized by the Directorate General of Special Education in collaboration with Pakistan Qaumi Yekhjehti Council.
The federal secretary added that the role of media was essential for highlighting issues faced by PWDs and bringing a behavioural change for this neglected segment of the society.
She further added that the government was taking concrete steps for addressing the needs of special children.
“A number of steps have been taken for the education, training and rehabilitation of PWDs”, she said.
She emphasized the need for registration of PWDs with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) for the provision of a Special National Identity Card.
Through these cards PWDs would be able to avail a 10 year age relaxation in government jobs and soft loans for small entrepreneurship.
Director General Special Education and Social Welfare Ghayoor Sultana said that the moot had been designed to highlight the talent of special children and to share happiness with them.
She said that rehabilitation of PWDs is possible through the involvement of all segments of society, for which the civil society and corporate sector should come forward and play a pivotal role for the realization of the rights of marginalized segments of the society.
Physically and intellectually challenged children, along with visual and hearing impaired fellows, presented songs and tableaux at the event.
Secretary CADD and Director General Special Education and Social Welfare also distributed gift items among children who participated in different activities.
More than 500 children with disabilities from different Special Education Centres had participated in the event.