Govt procures over 1,500 assistive devices for persons with disabilities

Community Development and Social Services Minister, Doreen Mwamba, has announced the procurement of more than 1,500 assistive devices for persons with disabilities, which will be distributed across districts nationwide.

Mwamba said the devices would be delivered to the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) for coordinated distribution to eligible beneficiaries following professional assessments.

She made the announcement on Thursday during the handover of wheelchairs in Choma’s Mbabala area, Southern Province.

The minister explained that the initiative was part of government’s continued efforts to enhance mobility, promote independent living, and ensure the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in the country’s development agenda.

“The wheelchairs, which were donated by Joni and Friends in collaboration with Kabwata Baptist Church, form part of continued stakeholder support towards government’s efforts to improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities through enhanced access to mobility devices,” Mwamba said.

She commended cooperating partners for their support and emphasized that persons with disabilities deserve inclusion in all socio-economic activities to contribute fully to Zambia’s development.

“It is critical that the device matches the individual’s specific needs to avoid causing further harm or discomfort. Let us uphold the dignity of every person with a disability by ensuring that support is not only available, but also appropriate, safe, and empowering,” she added.

Meanwhile, ZAPD Director General Frankson Musukwa applauded government’s commitment to persons with disabilities, noting that President Hakainde Hichilema’s passion for advancing their rights offers hope for a more inclusive future.

Beneficiaries of the wheelchairs also expressed gratitude to government and partners for the gesture, saying it would empower them to participate more actively in the country’s socio-economic activities.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.