By laiatu Bamaiyi Kebbi
Kebbi State House of Assembly Hon speaker Muhammad Usman Zuru has assured persons with special needs of the commitments and support of the state government
The Speaker gave the assurance when he received officials of the joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities who paid him a courtesy visit in his office Birnin Kebbi.
He said the present administration is committed for making impact on the lives of people affected by leprosy, he expressed appreciation to the leprosy mission Nigeria for its unwavering dedication and tireless efforts in combating leprosy in Nigeria.
Muhammad Usman Zuru lauded the commitments of the organization for providing medical care, rehabilitation and social inclusion to lepers in the state.
“unfortunately leprosy remain a significant public health concern in Nigeria, the impact on the individual, families and communities is profound and demand the collective attention”, he added.
The lawmaker says the work of leprosy mission in Nigeria play a crucial role in not only treating leprosy cases, but also in rising awareness, reducing the stigma and improving the overall quality of life of those affected.
Hon. Zuru acknowledged the support and commitment of the state programme officer and his team for working together in ensuring health care delivery of healthcare.
In his address the Kebbi state programme officer leprosy mission Nigeria
Mr. Emanuel Yakubu says the leprosy mission have been in Kebbi, and have carried out a lot of projects in the state.
He said they have open mind project which is currently taking place in Bagudo and Suru local government, as well as taking care of persons with disabilities in the same localities.
Emanuel Yakubu also disclosed that the programme also concerned with private public mix (ppm) which is designed to find cases that has to do with tubaclosis as well as persons living with disabilities, build resilience in Kebbi state.
“This programmes actually taking place in Dalijan, Argungu, Kangiwa and Zuru respective”
The programme officer added that the programmes are basically dealing with lepers and those with disabilities due to the challenges facing in communities.
Emanuel reminded the assembly members that last year they visited the assembly where they met with committee on Women affairs and other committees were they discussed about the national bill which was signed into law by former president His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, where Kebbi state is yet to implement the law.He said one of their activities is to pursue and followup to see the bill have been pass into law.
In his response the National President Joint National Association of Persons with disabilities Alhaji Abdullahi Aliyu Usman disclosed that the former president of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari established the commission for persons with disabilities, other states also adopted from the Federal government. Presently almost 20 states have already signed discrimination against persons with disabilities and also established the commission for persons with disabilities, but unfortunately Kebbi state is yet to sign the bill.
The National President explain that this is the reason the Kebbi state programme officer of the leprosy mission joined hands together to for the advocacy to seek for support of Kebbi state to sign the bill into law.
