Govt efforts help cut down disability rate, says Sultan: Saudi Arabia
JEDDAH: Prince Sultan bin Salman, chairman of the board of trustees of
the Prince Salman Center for Handicap Research (PSCHR), yesterday
emphasized the government's efforts to prevent disability in the
Kingdom by conducting premarital medical tests, early detection of
diseases and awareness programs.
Speaking to reporters after signing an agreement with the Islamic
Development Bank (IDB) for technical assistance, Sultan noted the center
's contribution toward improving the lives of many disabled children.
He urged IDB President Dr. Ahmed Muhammad Ali to start a special program
to provide training, jobs and soft loans to the disabled whom he
described as "people of special abilities instead of special needs."
The IDB chief welcomed the proposal and said the Poverty–Alleviation
Fund's microfinance program would address the needs of disabled people.
Under the agreement, the IDB will provide a grant of $250,000 to PSCHR
to develop an interactive website for the center's family village.
Prince Sultan, who is also secretary–general of the General Commission
for Tourism and Antiquities, said disabled people cases in the Kingdom were
decreasing as a result of government intervention, early detection of
cases, preventive measures and better care. "We are now in the process
of organizing a major awareness campaign in association with Saudi
Telecom Company in order to prevent disability," he said.
"Disabled people are no more considered a burden on family or society as a
result of rehabilitation efforts and awareness campaigns," the prince
said.
"We have made a lot of efforts to break into the minds and brains of
people to enhance their awareness on taking care of the disabled,"
Prince Sultan said.
He revealed plans to hold a global conference on handicap prevention in
the first quarter of 2009 with the participation of experts from all
over the world.
The prince said the deal with the IDB would expand the center's
activities in the Islamic world.
Source: http://www.arabnews.com
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