The National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) Vihiga office has conducted an assessment and registration exercise for Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWDs) at Hamisi Sub County Hospital in an effort to enhance access to government services.
Speaking to the Kenya News Agency (KNA) during the exercise, Vihiga County Director for the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, Ruth Oyier, said the initiative is crucial in ensuring that PLWDs are formally registered and able to benefit from government programmes and support systems.
Oyier explained that once issued with disability certificates, beneficiaries would be able to access a wide range of services, including education scholarships, economic empowerment programmes, assistive devices, tools of trade, tax exemptions, and free importation of adapted vehicles.
She also noted that registration enables persons with disabilities to enroll in the Social Health Authority (SHA) insurance scheme for improved access to healthcare services.
She emphasized that proper documentation is essential for participation in the programme.
For registration, adults are required to present a national identity card and a passport-size photograph, while children must provide a birth certificate and a passport-size photograph.
Oyier said the team expected to register about 300 individuals during the exercise, which began early in the morning and was scheduled to run until late afternoon, with a possible extension depending on turnout.
She further noted that a similar exercise conducted earlier in Emuhaya Subcounty recorded high turnout, leading to some individuals missing assessment.
She urged those affected to proceed to Vihiga Teaching and Referral Hospital, where the exercise would continue to ensure no eligible person is left out.
The county director highlighted challenges facing the programme, particularly shortage of resources and personnel, and called on both the national and county governments to provide adequate support to improve efficiency and reach more beneficiaries.
One of the beneficiaries, Josephine Mwambuki, said she was informed about the exercise the previous day and arrived early to ensure she was assessed and registered. She described the process as smooth and appreciated the efficiency of the medical team involved.
Mwambuki said her main goal was to obtain a disability certificate that would enable her to access government services more easily, including tax exemptions and healthcare support, especially if she ventures into business.
Another participant, Debby Laura, a student living with a disability, expressed optimism that registration would enable her to access educational scholarships as she prepares to join Sigalagala National Polytechnic to pursue a catering course.
The ongoing exercise is expected to continue at Vihiga Teaching and Referral Hospital, covering residents from Vihiga and Sabatia sub-counties.
Officials encouraged all eligible residents to take advantage of the registration process to ensure they are included in government support programmes aimed at improving the welfare of persons living with disabilities.
By Yvonne Misango
