George Kakala, chairman of the Cerebral Palsy Society of Kenya. [Photo/cpsk.or.ke]
The government should come up with clear strategies and zero in on specific disabilities instead of generalizing them, says Cerebral Palsy Society of Kenya programs director George Kakala.
Kakala said children with Cerebral Palsy cannot be generally classified as disabilities.
“Cerebral Palsy has become a challenge across the world, developed countries are better off since their systems are better,” said Kakala.
He spoke during a Cerebral Palsy Medical Camp at their offices in Nairobi on Tuesday.
Kakala said the first camp ever to be conducted by the NGO was to create awareness on Cerebral Palsy so as to help demystify myths and misconceptions on the condition and help provide necessary support to the victims.
“Cerebral Palsy Society of Kenya is centre focused to reach more people, it is easier to assist more children living with the condition if we start from the community,” said Kakala.
He said the organization was supporting 350 children in Nairobi, Machakos, Kiambu, Murang’a and Nakuru counties and was focused to pushing the number to 500.
Kakala said they had organized 2017 Annual Cerebral Palsy Charity Walk this Saturday at Mbagathi Road Primary School in Nairobi to create awareness on Cerebral Palsy.
He said they target to raise Sh15 million during the event for setting up a model Cerebral Palsy Centre to be replicated across the country.
Kakala said the facility will be established on a five acre piece of land.
“Our health care systems are not developed, majority of Kenyans live in rural areas and do not have access to health care,” said Kakala.
He said five out of 100 children suffer from cerebral palsy in Kenya.
“We are committed to ensure such children get necessary support in terms of education, health care, employment and equal opportunities to enable them realize their full potentials just like other children,” said Kakala.
Kakala said such children can be productive in the society.
He said the government should come out strongly in terms of policies development and resource allocations to Cerebral Palsy initiatives.
“County governments should be able to influence policies on issues the children need, we are looking for strategic partners to expand the program across the country,” said Kakala.
“We are now partnering with Doors of Hope NGO, the county governments should come on board,” he added.
Cerebral Palsy Society of Kenya implement five programs namely Children rehabilitation, outreach, special needs, livelihoods and guidance and counseling.