People living with disabilities in West Pokot County have benefited from a free joint medical camp on corrective surgery courtesy of the AIC Cure International and the County Government.
The three days event under the office of the County first lady started on Wednesday and is taking place at Konyao, Chepareria and Sigor. It entails assessment of people living with disabilities with particular interest on those with bone-related conditions.
The review targets mostly children for life-changing corrective surgeries.The exercise will also guide on assistive devices to be given out depending on individual assessment report.
Speaking at Father Leo Secondary school in Sigor during the exercise, County First Lady Dr. Mary Lonyangapuo said doctors from the Kijabe Cure International hospital and those contracted by the County Government will conduct the corrective surgery.
She said that both elders and children who are physically challenged are being targeted.
“The disabled are being tested and will be taken to Kijabe for the surgery. Children who are disabled get better easily after the surgery,” she said.
The County first lady called on parents in the area to bring the affected children and utilize the free chance citing that many who need help are still at home.
“They should not keep them at home. We want them to live a normal life and go to school. We want doctors to identify disabled children at birth because it is easy to help them when they are still young,” she said.
AIC Cure International Development Director Mr. Nelson Muoki said that they have identified 22 needy disabled children who need urgent surgery.
“There are many children with physical disabilities with bone, muscle related conditions. Many lose many important milestones because of the conditions,” he said.
He said that they are also assessing those in need of devices like wheelchairs and crutches.
West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo said the County has many children below the age of five years who have disabilities.
“We commend International for the work they are doing. We are planning to do the surgeries locally at the County level and those critical conditions will be transferred to Kijabe,” he said.
Lonyangapuo urged residents in the County not to hide people living with disabilities because of cultural practices and report any cases of children with disabilities hidden by their families for them to access education and get support.
Lonyangapuo has commended CURE International for their dedication to transform the lives of children with disabilities through corrective surgery.
“Everyone is entitled to life and integration in society and we shall help empower such children because you do not know what they can do for society tomorrow,” he said.
He reiterated that people living with disabilities have rights like everyone else to enjoy equal opportunities enshrined in Kenyan laws and several international conventions.