Dimapur, July 7 (EMN): Two-day legal services to disabled cum medical camp was organised at District Hospital Phek, on July 5 and 6, by Nagaland Parent’s Association for the Disabled (NAPAD) and Phek District Legal Services Authority (PDLSA).
District Administration Phek, Social Welfare, Health and Family Welfare department and State Commission for Disability were active partners of the two days legal awareness and medical camp.
Proposing welcome address at the inaugural programme, Deputy Commissioner Phek, Kovi Meyase, NCS expressed gratitude to the patterning stakeholders who had initiated the valuable service to the disabled people of the district.
State Commissioner for the Disability, Dr. Atha Vizol, in his speech stressed on the recently amended disability act 2016. He pointed out that under the new amendment act, new types of disabilities has been excluded. He also informed that medical camp for disabled persons was conducted at Mon district along with NAPAD and such camp shall be organised in the entire district in the days to come.
He urged for formation of NGOs in the district level for the welfare of the disabled persons.
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. He further expressed gratitude for the continuous support from the state government as well as the different nodal departments like Social Welfare, Health and Family Welfare department and the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority.
NJS member secretary NSLSA, Nino Iralu 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.
She also briefed 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.
District Welfare Officer Phek, Atula Kikon also highlighted on certain schemes entitled to the disabled under the social welfare department. She lamented that however due to lack of fund the department is unable to reach out to all the beneficiaries.
Altogether 323 Persons with Disabilities (PwD) attended the programme.
