MONROVIA – Madam Synleseh Stephenie Dahn Koung, wife of Liberia’s Vice President Jeremiah Koung, has vowed to do its utmost to facilitate life conditions of disabled persons in the country.
By Edwin G. Genoway
She said her office is prepared to carter to the disable community in Liberia.
“If it means for the office of the Second Lady to influence policy decision to change the trajectory of persons living with disabilities across the country, we will,” she said.
She made the statement through her proxy, Ms. Joyce C. Kenkpen at program marking the mobility equipment donation held by the World Health Organization (WHO), on the compound of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Compound on Tuesday April 2, 2924.
Joyce expressed Madam Koung’s excitement and appreciation to WHO and its partners for the donation to the disabled community.
According to her, the Second Lady as Executive Director of the Group of 72, is extremely grateful to the WHO for buttressing her efforts and that of the government.
“We are grateful to WHO and its partners for the kind gesture today and this symbolic donation. The office of the Second Lady remains committed to advocating and finding solution whether it means influencing policy decisions that will change the trajectory of how people with disabilities are treated,” she concluded.
The World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with the Liberian government through the office of the Second Lady donated mobility equipment to the disabled community.
The donation was particularly given to John F. Kennedy Medical Center and the Monrovia Rehabilitation Center.
The kind gesture include sixteen wheelchairs and twenty sticks.
The donation is in connection with the many events being celebrated as part of preparation of World Health Day which is expected to be celebrated under the theme: ” My heath, my right” championing the right of good health for everyone, everywhere.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has committed itself to working with the Liberian government and the office of the Second Lady to ensure that the voices of people living with disabilities are brought forward in the health agenda of the country.
Addressing score of people living with disabilities during the official mobility equipment donation program by WHO at the John F. Kennedy Medical center, WHO Representative, Dr. Clement Peter, said that access to health is the rights of people with disabilities.
According to him, this right is protected by the government as enshrined in the 1986 Constitution of the country and international treaties.
“We are excited that you are here today. However, we just don’t want to see you only today, we want the relationship to continue. We want to work together to ensure that the voice of those disabled are brought forward in the health agenda of this country” he assured.
Also speaking in separate remarks, the National Commission on Disability, Officer in Charge (OIC) Ms. Hannah Watson and Madam Dama R. Yekeson-Koffa, General Administrator of the JFK expressed excitement for the recognition and donations.
“We acknowledge the challenges that our people are faced with. We want to thank WHO and its partners for seeing the need to identify with us. We want more to come because there are many challenges facing person’s living with disabilities. Especially, access to healthcare, education and welfare” they concluded.
