|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
By Jane Mugambi
Kirinyaga: Parents of children with cerebral palsy in Kirinyaga County have called on the government to establish a specialised institution where their children can acquire skills and to make essential drugs and therapy affordable and accessible.
Speaking in Kerugoya town, Hellen Njeri said that although the children are living with disabilities, they are differently abled and can learn skills to earn an income if given the right opportunity. She said a skills-based institution, similar to a technical training college, would help them do so.
Njeri noted that children with cerebral palsy often struggle to learn in a regular classroom setting, adding that a special institution would be a major step forward for families, since many of the children, even those who use wheelchairs, have skills to offer.
“In Kirinyaga, we only have one special school, which is Kerugoya School for the Deaf. We, the parents of children living with cerebral palsy, urge the government to consider building an institution specifically for them,” she said.
She also asked that parents be allowed to stay with their children at such an institution, given the level of care the children need. According to Njeri, the person best placed to care for such a child is the mother, who has walked the journey with them.
“Even if the institution will have teachers, we, as mothers and caregivers who understand them, pray that we be considered,” she said.
Njeri also raised concern over access to lifelong medication, urging the government to ensure the drugs are available in public hospitals at subsidised prices. She said parents referred to private pharmacies and hospitals often find the drugs too expensive, and that missing even a single daily tablet can put a child’s life in danger.
“We are urging the government to stock drugs for children with cerebral palsy in public hospitals. When we are referred to private facilities, some parents cannot afford them because they are expensive, and when a child misses a single dose, their life is in danger,” she said.
Margaret Wanjiru said the cost of therapy is also out of reach for many families, as children are required to attend sessions three times a week. She explained that many parents cannot take up manual jobs because of the demands of caring for their children, and those who do often lose the opportunities when employers object to them bringing the children along.
“For a parent with a child with cerebral palsy, life is very hard, especially when unemployed. The children need therapy three times a week, and since most of us are housewives, we are forced to look for manual jobs. Many of us do not get them because we have to bring the child along,” she said.
She suggested that the government set aside funds and include children with cerebral palsy in the cash transfer programme to support their caregivers and ensure the children receive the care they need.
John Mugo, a therapist, urged the government to employ enough occupational therapists to serve the growing number of children who cannot be handled by one or two professionals.
“I urge the government to ensure health facilities have enough occupational therapists, so that when children come for therapy two or three times a week, they are assisted and not turned away for lack of a therapist,” said Mugo.
