James Lalu visits NCDC, Advocates for Inclusion And access to COVID-19 Vaccine for PWDs

The Executive Secretary NCPWD, bearing in mind that PWDs have been segregated for too long, with a speed of lightining embarked on a courtesy visit to the Director General of National Centre for Diseases Control ( NCDC) on the 11th May 2021, at their office in Utako with some of his Management staff.

The Executive Secretary NCPWD, Mr James Lalu thanked the DG, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu for the warm welcome, stating the reason for the visit which has been due to long negligence of PWDs in the area of Covid-19 interventions and sensitization.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by Chief press secretary NCPWD, Dooshima Pius-Ikerave on Wednesday.

Mr Lalu pleaded that PWDs have different challenges and so its difficult to relate an information to them via same channel of Communication and expect them to follow and understand, he also mentioned that, there are alot of myths and negative speculations associated with Covid-19 and it’s Vaccine which has made it practically impossible for PWDs to believe in it, therefore causing them to shrink and shy away from the vaccine, the Es, called the attention of the DG on the vulnerable state of PWDs and pleads for early intervention to help curtail the spread and also include PWDs in all their policy plan and projects moving forward.

Read Also: James Lalu Calls For Concrete Data Base For Persons With Disabilities

The DG NCPD, was greatly Honoured to have the ES and his team present to reveal to them indeed some areas they had not touched or rather considered. Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu addressed the Commission as a special one, he said this is about the first courtesy visit he has agreed to honor since the out break of the novel covid-19 , but he had to oblige the Commission because of the peculiarity of their visit.

The DG, affirmed completely to all that the Es had explained, and said their negligence wasn’t intentional but out of ignorance because they didn’t know, he went ahead to assure the commission of his total commitment to ensuring that PWDs, moving forward are well included in all their policy plan and further Executions. He also called on the Commission’ s guidance on the best ways they can be communicated to and other ways they can collaborate to enable the two parties work hand in hand and avail themselves to the full benefits of PWDs. The DG, disclaimed all the myths associated with the vaccine, saying nothing has saved more lives than the vaccine in recent times.

The Director General, introduced Dr Emeka to the team as a come – in – between and asked that the Executive Secretary , does same by introducing to them an officer who can work closely with Dr Emeka for the good of the two organisations. This will enable NCPWD and NCDC work closely to strengthen more grounds of colorations to record amazing success in all the above mentioned areas.

The Director General thanked the team once again, expressing his joy and looking for to a robust working relationship.

In attendance was the Executive Secretary NCPWD, Management team and Staff of the Commission. The Director General NCDC , his Management and Staff.

More photos from the meeting: