Disability federation urges finalisation of criteria for disability grants

By:Ludorf Iyambo

The National Federation of People with Disabilities in Namibia (NFPD) chairperson, Mathues Hashoongo has called for the finalisation of standard criteria to be used by medical doctors when assessing people for disability grants.

Hashoongo said some doctors use their own assessment methods, potentially excluding people from accessing the much-needed support.

Hashoongo made the remarks recently during a courtesy visit by Vice President Lucia Witbooi to the Disability Resource Centre in Okuryangava.

“ I was in a meeting where we met some doctors, they draft their own criteria to give the grant or to assess the patients to receive the grant. I do not know how many people have been denied that, and how many people are suffering, and those people have been disadvantaged, and they will continue being disadvantaged,” remarked Hashoongo.

He warned that without the standard guidelines; people will suffer due to doctors’ personal judgments.

In addition, Hashoongo urged authorities to investigate people who use persons with disabilities to secure fish quotas, but refuse to pay their dividends.

He also raised concern about ongoing violence against persons with disabilities, particularly those with mental health conditions.

“Rape cases involving persons with mental health challenges are devastating and underreported. I think the media; we need your support in this case. May you expose those activities”.