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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Matabeleland South Bureau Chief
People living with disabilities in Insiza District in Matabeleland South Province have received an assortment of devices as Government moves to ensure no one and no place is left behind.

More than a hundred assistive devices including wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, mobility aids and orthotic devices, which were locally assembled by Leonard Cheshire Disability, were recently distributed to people living with disabilities by the Deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Lovemore Matuke.

The Second Republic has said it will strive to ensure inclusive development.

The Disability Affairs Department under the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare conducted an assessment in Insiza District in April to identify conditions of people living with disabilities and the assistive devices they need.

Mr Naison Msipha (74) could not hold back tears when he received crutches which will enable him to move around. He has been relying on a walking stick. It could not support him fully and sometimes he would fall.

“I’m relieved because I have found a device that will help me to move around. I used to fall because the stick was not user friendly,” he said.

Ms Nothabo Sibanda said she had tried to get a wheelchair for her disabled child for the past seven years without luck. She said her daughter was spending most of the time indoors as it was difficult to carry her around.

Beneficiaries receive assistive devices in Insiza District, Matabeleland South

“My child will be turning 12 years next month and I have tried to get her a wheel chair ever since she was five years old but I failed. Now I’m relieved that she has means of moving around. We can now even move around with her because it was difficult to carry her around,” she said.

Ms Portia Tshuma said she has been using a defective artificial leg which was causing her a lot of pain. She said she had developed sores because of the pain. Ms Tshuma said she could not walk long distances or perform some of her household chores. She said the artificial leg she received will bring her problems to an end.

Addressing stakeholders that had gathered for the handover of the assistive devices, Deputy Minister Matuke said ever since the country attained its independence, this intervention from Government was history in the making.

He said in the past such assistance came from NGOs.

“We will move across all districts in the country to assist people with disabilities with assistive devices. Disability is a situation that can befall anyone and therefore we shouldn’t look down upon those who have a disability. When we are sorting out the welfare of people with disability, we are improving the lives of future generations. When we roll out various programmes that seek to address the livelihoods of communities, let’s not leave out people with disabilities,” said Deputy Minister Matuke.

He said before beneficiaries were allocated the assistive devices, an assessment was conducted by a technical team to ascertain what form of assistive device each person needed.

Deputy Minister Matuke urged various stakeholders who want to donate assistive devices to first engage experts from the Department of Disability Affairs. He said not everyone who cannot walk requires a wheel chair.

Deputy Minister Matuke said a wrong assistive device may affect the body.

Chief Maduna applauded the Second Republic for being a listening Government that fulfils promises.

He said people with disability have in the past been left out but Government has made significant efforts to empower them and ensure their inclusion. – @DubeMatutu.