PWDs Will Be Provided Assistive Technologies – FG
Yesterday, the Federal Government restated its commitment in ensuring the availability and affordability of Assistive Technologies (AT) for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria.
In order to reach target 3.8 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on universal health coverage, the federal government pointed out that access to assistive technology is an essential component in the continuum of health care and universal health coverage.
Yesterday, Sadiya Umar Farouq, the minister of humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development, had disclosed this information during the public presentation of the National Roadmap on Local Production of Standard Assistive Technologies for Persons With Disabilities (PWDS) in Nigeria in Abuja.
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Minister Farouq explained that the roadmap had been developed to jumpstart the implementation of the key enabling actions, activities and programmes that will be instrumental to an organised production, procurement, and distribution of Assistive Technologies for PWDs in the country.
As she highlighted the objective of the roadmap, she also said that it will guide the production, procurement and distribution of Assistive Technologies for PWDs in Nigeria.
As she was being represented by Dr. Nasir Sani Gwarzo, the permanent secretary, the minister stated that the roadmap would ensure quality control in the local production of assistive technologies for PWDS.
“It will also mainstream local production of assistive technologies in innovative and industrial development of the country and help in providing enabling environment for employment creation through local production of assistive technologies. The ministry through her Special Needs Department has continuously made concerted efforts towards improving the lives of persons with disabilities in Nigeria.”
She then added that these efforts have, at different times, been aimed at specific objectives so as to create better living outcomes for PWDs in Nigeria.
