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| Friday, 15 November 2002 |
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by Ananda Kannangara At least 10 per cent of children in Sri Lanka are born with or acquire a disability and only a limited percentage is receiving appropriate and timely rehabilitation", according to the Director of the Youth, Elderly, Disabled and Displaced persons in the Ministry of Health Dr. Deepthi Perera. She expressed her regret over the Government's inability of adopting a "National Policy" to fulfil the needs of a large number of people living with disabilities. She made these observations at the 31st AGM of the National Council for the Deaf (NCD) held at the Holiday Inn, Colombo. NCD, Senior Director Maud Senaratne presided. "Even the United Nations declared the year 1981 as the International Year of Disabled Persons and adopted rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for persons with disabilities". "There are many children who do not have adequate access to rehabilitation services to improve their functions, to attend school, to achieve income-producing work and participate in activities which are enjoyed by the other members in the community." Dr. Perera also said that the Ministry of Health has launched several programs for the benefit of disabled persons in order to grant them equal rights and opportunities in the future. "Some of the programs started by us are the pre-natal care services to increase the chances for people with disabilities to survive and also giving training for professionals in the health and social services for providing medical services for disabled persons. Dr. Perera thanked the National Council for the Deaf for the service rendered by them towards the deaf community in the country. NCD, President W.M.K. Wijetunga, Vice Presidents Dr. Ananda Soysa, and Dr. W. Ratnayaka, Asst. Treasurer L. Devapriya and Prof. Priyani Soysa were also present. |
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