Afya Care Foundation has launched a program to offer free psychotherapy services to persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Trans Nzoia County to mitigate increasing cases of mental health challenges.
The Program, which has been launched in collaboration with psychiatrists drawn from the region, will strive to address cases of mental challenges among PWDs, while aiming to combat isolation, stigma and loneliness which have been singled out as main contributing factors.
Speaking in Kitale, Afya Care Foundation County Coordinator Dr. Calistus Simiyu, revealed that the initiative will also give special focus to drug and substance abuse among PWDs more so those of the age between 13 and 40 years.
Revealing that most PWDs suffer from discrimination when it comes to access to education and employment opportunities, Dr. Simiyu reiterated the need for tailored strategies and strengthening of existing policies with regard to safeguarding the interests and rights of all PWDs.
Noting that most PWDs are exposed to the risk of suffering from chronic diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes due to lack of physical fitness, Dr. Simiyu advised that there is need to incorporate them in light exercises as a preventive strategy.
“We have had several meetings with various leaders and we have agreed that in the next three months, we will be launching regular health and fitness activities for PWDs, either once in a month or two months,” he revealed.
Meanwhile, he challenged the government to incorporate mental health as a compulsory subject in the curriculum, besides investing more resources on mental issues awareness.
Chairman of PWDs in Trans Nzoia County, Ojiambo Opis, urged both the national and county governments to ensure that the rights and interests of PWDs are protected fully.
He decried the lack of representation for PWDs in the current Trans Nzoia County Assembly, saying that it’s a serious constitutional error, which has been overlooked for long despite several petitions.
“This is a serious constitutional violation of the rights of PWDs. How can their interests be taken care of if they don’t have representation in the County Assembly? We have tried to solve this issue amicably, but our petitions have fallen on deaf ears. I request the Registrar of Political Parties, Independent Electoral Boundaries Committee (IEBC), National Council for Persons withDisabilities (NCPWD), to ensure the same mistake is not repeated in 2027,” he said as he questioned the legality of Trans Nzoia County Assembly.
By Isaiah Nayika and Angela Musonye
