Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved free COVID-19 test for Persons with disabilities (PWDs), in registered clusters.
This was made known on Wednesday when Sanwo-Olu and his wife, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu had an Interactive Session with the PWDs at the State House in Marina.
The Governor assured that the Government would be working to ensure free quality healthcare services for the persons with disabilities in primary and secondary health institutions in the State.
Sanwo-Olu has also approved the creation of the Office of Senior Special Assistant on PWD Affairs, which will be the link between his administration and people living with disabilities.
The Governor further noted that N500 million have been earmarked in the state’s 2021 budget as Disability Fund.
“The N500 million Disability Fund in the 2021 Budget will be accessed next year and we will agree with all clusters on better to utilise the funds,” he said.
In the spirit of Yuletide, Sanwo-Olu and the First Lady donated 50 wheelchairs, 170 walking sticks, 75 white canes and 69 crutches to the clusters to assist the PWDs in mobility. About 364 persons living with disabilities benefited from the gesture.
Groups at the event included Association for the Deaf, Association for the Blind, Association for the Dwarf, Albinism Association of Nigeria, Spinal Cord Injury Association of Nigeria (SCIAN), National Association of Physically Challenged, Intellectual Cluster Groups, comprising Down syndrome, autism and cerebral palsy.