Economy: Provide Palliative Care For Persons With Disabilities, NGO Urges FG—-The Convener, Disability Inclusion Nigeria, Mr Jake Epelle, has urged the Federal Government to provide palliative care for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) to help cushion the effect of the economic situation on them.

Epelle made the appeal on Tuesday in Abuja in an open letter written to President Bola Tinubu titled “An Urgent Appeal to Address the Crippling Impact of the Economic Crisis on Vulnerable Nigerians, Particularly PWDs.

According to Epelle, the letter was written to the president, urging him to address the skyrocketing inflation rate which has severely eroded the purchasing power of Nigerians.

In the letter, he said that the inflation rate has also impeded access to necessities like affordable healthcare, education, transportation, and food, pushing countless Nigerians further into the abyss of poverty and despair.

“This crisis disproportionately affects PWDs, who already face significant barriers due to pre-existing societal and infrastructural challenges.

“The rising cost of essential medications, assistive devices, food items, and specialised care throws PWDs into a precarious situation, jeopardising there will-being and independence.

“The financial burden of education, compounded by transportation costs, threatens to exclude them from educational opportunities, further marginalising them and hindering their potential to contribute meaningfully to society.”

Epelle who is also the founder of The Albino Foundation (TAF) Africa, said that palliative care could be provided by establishing stamps, preferably in the 774 local government areas or in the six geopolitical zones and encourage private sector participation in the initiative.

He also called for the allocation of additional resources to support inclusive education initiatives, including training teachers, providing assistive technologies, subsidising school fees, and generally creating accessible learning environments.

Other recommendations made includes that the Federal Government should prioritise the development and maintenance of affordable transportation infrastructure accessible to PWDs, ensuring their mobility and independence are not compromised due to economic constraints.

“Design and implement skills development programs tailored to the specific needs and abilities of PWDs, to equip them with relevant skills for the job market and encourage employability by the private sector.

“Implement tax breaks for manufacturers and distributors to make assistive technologies, such as wheelchairs, prosthetics, and screen readers more affordable for PWDs.”

He added that though some of the recommendations may be implementable only in the mid to long-term, the president should take immediate and decisive action, especially on reasonable short-term steps, to alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable Nigerians.

He also said that adopting the recommendations would greatly contribute and demonstrate the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive governance and social justice.

Epelle, however, said that the organisation was ready and willing to collaborate with the Federal Government to ensure that no Nigerian, especially PWDs, is left behind in the journey towards economic recovery and social development.