People Living with Disabilities (PLWD) in Migori have been asked to visit the County Referral Hospital for assessment to receive free wheelchairs.
Speaking at the Migori County Referral Hospital (MCRH), Fredrick Otieno, the Doctor in Charge of Physiotherapy at the facility, said that the partnership with the county and the Walkabout Foundation will host a Wheelchair Service Week to address mobility challenges.
The Walkabout Foundation, a Charitable International Organisation, has been providing free wheelchairs to aid in mobility for PLWD and those with other mobility challenges.
Otieno said that mobility is one of the major challenges facing PLWD, an issue that the county government, in partnership with the Walkabout Foundation, aims to address to improve their lives.
“We are urging all residents from Migori to visit the Referral hospital to get assessed and receive a free wheelchair to aid in their domestic chores, conduct their businesses and allow children to attend school,” said Otieno.
The official explained that various types of wheelchairs will be issued to individuals according to the nature of their disability for maximum mobility aid for the beneficiaries.
Since 2023, Walkabout Foundation has issued 210 wheelchairs to PLWD, and this year, 100 wheelchairs will be issued to the county residents.
According to Paul Maina, the Manager of the Walkabout Foundation Kenya, the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2023 with Migori County will enable PLWD to receive free wheelchairs to realise the dream of mobility.
“We are ready to work with any county that is willing to engage with us to improve the lifestyle of PLWD across the country,” said Maina.
He said that by giving out wheelchairs to the disabled, the community can be economically empowered because no one will be left behind.
The official also added that helping the disabled to get the necessary mobility aid will guarantee their independence in doing their daily activities, reducing their dependence on others.
Dorothy Awuor, a wheelchair beneficiary from Nyatike Sub-County, said that the free wheelchair will ease her movement difficulties.
Awuor said that she had been reduced to relying on her relatives and neighbours for her mobility, a daunting task that had become quite tiresome.
She disclosed that the wheelchair will enable her to perform her civic duty of voting next year to contribute to good leadership in the country.
Beatrice Lingala, a mother of a physically challenged child, also narrated that her daughter has been struggling with a brain tumour that rendered her immobile.
She disclosed that the immobility challenge could not allow her daughter to join Senior school due to her mobility, medication and feeding challenges.
“I am happy that one of the challenges facing my daughter has been addressed, and I hope the gesture is extended to everyone who needs help to make a society a better place,” she said.
By Makokha Khaoya
