|
According to a report by Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP) - Pakistan and the UN, there are 650 million people worldwide living with various disabilities. Pakistan alone harbors about 16 million disabled making it roughly the 10f the total population (rising steadily from 4hree decades ago) and among these only one million persons with disabilities have the capacity to contribute to national development.
Due to the limbo state of welfare both at the community and the government levels, those identified in the report are not properly taken care of, neither are looked after nor encouraged to embark on educational or vocational adventure. The lack of awareness, cultural taboos and social barriers are to be blamed including the unfounded guilt of the family which play a gruesome role in keeping them from integrating into the society, which generally looks down at them. Most people in this country live far below the murky line of poverty and the impoverished economical state makes the indigent cling to the breadline only. Affording expensive treatment or cure for the disability does not stand a chance and the disabled who are already a burden on the destitute families, are further pushed into the dungeon of isolation and neglect. The sibling rivalry and discrimination is often more tolerated in favor of the healthy offspring thus depriving the disabled willfully from the legitimate rights, care and love, proving yet another time the very nature of us being the social animals who still acknowledge the survival of the fittest only.
The sufferings of the disabled are no less even in well-off families, the utter un-acceptance of the handicapped is a socio-cultural issue instead of being ethical, moral or the medical one. The rampant illiteracy, myths and beliefs some times present the congenitally handicapped and mentally retards as demoniac and in most circumstances are exposed to exorcism and other cruel physical torments to rid them from the evil spirits. In Pakistan, we are a long way from learning to change our attitude towards the disabled. One generally pities coming across a handicapped but would seldom rank him a little different form a beggar who are a common sight on the city streets because the majority of the beggars are those disables abandoned by their families at saints shrines, public parks or some times in the trash containers. Those lucky enough to escape this end are un-luckily left confined in the dark, poorly ventilated rooms in absolute denial of the basic human rights.
This is the plight of more than 90f the disabled in our society, the remaining less than 10an take the pride for seeing light at the distant end of the tunnel, for they have limited and conditional access to educational institutions, vocational training centers, and also enjoy 1uota of employment reserved for them in governmental set-ups. Though this has not been fairly implemented at times, particularly in the private sector, where they are considered least productive and a burden on medical indemnity and social security. Thanks to the few special educational and vocational institutes scattered across the country, which have come up with providing the direly needed help in giving education and skills necessary to enable the disabled to get integrated in the personal, communal and national development. Under the directive from Ministry of Social welfare, the Directorate of Special Education has established 46 and the National Trust for the Disabled has set up three special education centers for persons with disability. Besides, there are numerous non-profits, non-governmental organizations, and local and international, working in this field to extend help, which unfortunately isnt suffice, compared to the magnitude of the problem. More is needed to be done to address the graveness with the multifaceted approach. There are still millions out there who are overlooked due to the embarrassment or lack of interest by the families, and the remoteness of the Special Facilities thus impeding easy access especially for those living in the outskirts of the cities, slums and shantytowns.
Youhana Abad, the largest slum of the country, lies at 25 kilometers at the southeastern industrial hub of Lahore. The majority of the dwellers here, being laborer, belong to the low-income setting battling poverty, malnutrition, illiteracy, unemployment, diseases, poor sanitation and unhygienic living conditions. Above all they are exposed to the environmental pollution caused by the industrial waste and by-products thus giving way to the Carcinogenic, Tretogenic or Mutagenic diseases and are a major cause of congenital birth defects and anomalies. Numerous other ailments like, heart, kidneys, liver, stomach and joints disease, blindness and deafness are attributed directly to the environmental pollutants inhaled or ingested intentionally or accidentally. Poor waste management and sewerage ill-drainage and unhygienic living provide ideal breading grounds for the vectors of the preventable communicable diseases. The surge in physical and mental deformities is alarming and warrants initiation of a comprehensive drive aimed at educating the masses, campaigning for a cleaner and safer environment, alleviating poverty, advocating equitable wealth distribution, up gradating and delivering quality health care- both preventive and curative, and encouraging people to participate in developing and adopting a healthy life style.
Community Health & Awareness Program (CHAP) is a project of Community Advance Programme (CAP), initiated in public interest in complete harmony with the guidelines of the WHO to take care of health in all its aspects. With the help of its dedicated medical and non-medical volunteers, CHAP has broadened the sphere of out reach to the communities of Youhana Abad and its ten adjoining areas. We hold free regular medical camps including prescription of free medicines; arrange awareness campaigns through seminars and print media, and have started a training program of paramedical staff, and setting-up a polyclinic is under way to provide quality follow up care. Besides, we have allocated a small building for rehabilitation of the physically and mentally challenged people, where they are given quality health care along with the educational, recreational and vocational trainings for their smooth inclusion in the community. The parents are also encouraged to participate in different training modules to learn hands-on approach for various minor problems encountered while caring at home. The medical program is deeply affecting the people to change their attitude towards self, others and the environment.
|
