By Tina George, Minna
ASHENEWS reports that the Leprosy Mission Nigeria on Tuesday, provided prosthetic limbs, wheelchairs and crutches to 28 people with disabilities in Niger state.
The aim, according to the Head of Programmes and Operations, Pius Ogbu Sunday is to assist the beneficiaries to regain mobility and self-sufficiency.
He explained that the beneficiaries include people who are affected by leprosy and those with other disabilities as a result of accidents and diabetes.
“Although TLM addresses the concerns of people affected by leprosy but in the last 10 years, we have decided to develop our strategy to reach out to both people affected by leprosy and people with other forms of disabilities that may have been caused by either accident or diabetics.
“The provision of these assistive technologies for the current beneficiaries is a result of our collaboration with TLM Australia who graciously was able to raise funds for us to provide these limbs to the people who need them,” Sunday.
He explained that the Mission spent N7 million for the provision of the limbs as well as catering for the transportation, feeding and testing of the beneficiaries.
He added that the assistive technology includes above-the-knee and below-the-knee prosthetic limbs.
The Niger state Commissioner of Health, Dr Muhammad Makunsidi who was represented by the Director of Public Health, Dr Ibrahim Idris applauded Mission for the gesture, saying that it would enable the beneficiaries to move about freely.
He assured the organization of the government support in providing a conducive environment for them to operate in.
The representative of the Niger state Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Solomon Favour noted that the beneficiaries were very excited that they immediately wore the limbs when they were given, saying that it has given them a new lease of life.
He said that they would no longer be dependent on their crutches or relatives as they would be independent and can move about freely.
Favour then urged the beneficiaries not to be depressed about their state, saying that they should always be encouraged as there is hope for them.
One of the beneficiaries, Isah Usman who said he had an accident in February this year said life had not been easy for him as his two limbs were cut off.
He said that the prosthetic limbs would help him move about without depending on anybody as he appreciated The Leprosy Mission Nigeria and Australia for making him walk again.
