PHEK, July 7 (MExN): Altogether 323 Persons with Disabilities (PwD) attended two days legal awareness cum medical camp organized by Nagaland Parent’s Association for the Disabled (NAPAD) and Phek District Legal Services Authority (PDLSA) at District Hospital, Phek on July 5 and 6.
District Administration Phek, Social Welfare Department, Health and Family Welfare Department and State Commission for Disability were active partners of the two day programme.
Delivering short speech, Dr. Atha Vizol, State Commissioner for the Disability stressed on the recently amended Disability Act 2016 and pointed out that under the new amendment act, new types of disabilities has been excluded.
Stressing on the use of the term PwD rather than differently abled persons, the Commissioner appraised that the State Commission for Disability is a new statutory body.
Nino Iralu, NJS Member Secretary NSLSA highlighted on the significance of Article 41 of the Constitution which provides that the state shall within the limits of its economic capacity and developments make effective provisions for securing the rights to-work, education and public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement.
She also informed that all Fundamental Rights available to a citizen are also available to the PwD so they can use the law to protect their interest.
Iralu further highlighted on the Persons with Disabilities (equal opportunities, protection of rights and full participation) Act 1995, the National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disability Act 1999, Mental Health Act 1987 and National Policy for Persons With Disabilities Act 2006.
Atula Kikon, District Welfare Officer Phek also highlighted on certain schemes entitled to the disabled under the social welfare department. She lamented that due to lack of fund the department is unable to reach out to all the beneficiaries.
The medical team at the camp comprised of Dr. Temsulong Pongener, MD Psychiatry, Dr. S. Yingnei Konya, MS ENT, Dr. Reyosalu Lase Vizo, Senior Dental Specialist and DNO, NICP, Dr. Albert T. Pochury, MD Medicine, Dr. Wethselo Tsuhah, Senior Specialist Pediatrics, Dr. Ruokuohelie, Dr. Selhounyu Touhu, MO Phek. They were assisted by technicians AK Shataranjan, Audiometerist and Kuhusalu Khosoh, Ophthalmic Assistant.
The press release also informed that Disability Certificate will be issued to the examined PwD during the two days medical camp by the Para Legal Volunteers from Phek District Legal Services Authority (PDLSA) office from July 10 onwards.
