MINGORA: The Saidu Group of Teaching Hospitals will provide free medical treatment and medicines to the people with disabilities in all the government and private hospitals in the Malakand division.

This was announced by chief executive of the group Dr Taj Mohammad Khan while speaking at a function at the Saidu Medical College to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities here on Sunday. The event was organised by Pakistan Association of the Blind, Swat chapter.

Dr Taj said the people with disabilities would be provided special treatment in the Saidu Group of Hospitals. “Islam is the religion which gives special place to people with disabilities and forbids normal people to mistreat them,” he said.

Dr Naeemullah, who is president of the Provincial Doctors Association, Malakand division, also announced free medical services to the people with disabilities.

In Timergara, speakers at a function on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities demanded of the government to take practical steps to facilitate special persons in the society.

The function was arranged by the Helping Hands and Relief Development (HHRD) at Government College of Commerce and Management Sciences, Talash. Special persons, including women and children, their parents and area elders attended the function.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities observed

The speakers said neither the government nor the social welfare department had been fulfilling their responsibility regarding special persons. They said PWDs needed extra care from families, society and state.

In Ghalanai, Pakistan Red Crescent Society in collaboration with the social welfare and agency sports department organised a cricket match for blind teams at the Ghalanai Sports Stadium the other day.

The Lower Mohmand blind cricket team won the toss and scored 146 runs batting first in the stipulated 15 overs. And, in reply Upper Mohmand team achieved the target with the loss of three wickets.

Speaking on the occasion, Lt-Col Ali Nawaz Khan, the 203 Wing Commander, emphasised the importance of reintegrating persons with disabilities in the society.

In Khar, speakers at a function expressed dismay over the failure of the federal government and the local administration to provide basic needs to the special persons in the agency.

The function was organised by Bajaur disabled persons association, which was attended by large number of persons with disabilities from across the agency and political and social activists.

Published in Dawn, December 4th, 2017