….Offers Comprehensive Health Checks, Medication
In commemoration of this year’s International Day For Persons With Disability, the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) has provided financial support of N200,000.00 each to 150 seniors with disabilities in Lagos State.
Speaking on Monday at an empowerment programme held at the LCCI Conference and Exhibition Centre in Ikeja, with the theme: “Empowering Senior Citizens, Enabling Independence: A Commitment to Inclusion and Dignity”, the General Manager of LASODA, Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, said that the programme is a reflection of the state government’s commitment to creating a supportive environment for all citizens, regardless of their abilities or age.
According to her, the initiative is designed to provide healthcare support to disability clusters and empower them to foster their independence, dignity, and inclusivity in society.
“Today, the state government is not only recognising our elderly, but we are also addressing their healthcare, general well-being, and providing a cash sum to persons above 60 with disabilities. The beneficiaries will undergo comprehensive health checks, including tests for blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and other health assessments.
“We also have parents who are themselves over 60 years old and have been caregivers for their children with disabilities. We didn’t want to exclude them because the administration of Babajide Sanwo-Olu is all-inclusive. Therefore, we are extending this gesture to parents with children with disabilities who themselves are over 60.
“Our biggest goal is to ensure that persons above 60 in Lagos know that we acknowledge their existence, understand the peculiarities of their needs, and encourage them to take advantage of healthcare schemes that Lagos State has set up, among other initiatives. Today, we have gathered only 150 of these individuals, with the intention that this will be replicated across states and at the national level”, the GM stated.
While outlining the activities of the agency to promote and improve the lives of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Lagos through impactful support and targeted programmes, she assured that the state will continue to advocate for policies and initiatives that empower individuals with disabilities to live their lives to the fullest.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youths and Social Development, Mrs. Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu, represented by the Director of Admin and Human Resources in the Ministry, Mr. Abiodun Dina, emphasised the commitment of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration to improve the well-being of elderly citizens. The gesture is a way of promoting inclusion, which is part of the THEMES developmental agenda of the government.
Medical professionals were also present to check the beneficiaries’ vitals, and free medication was administered where necessary.