TANGA: PRIME Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba has urged Tanzanians to rally behind persons with disabilities and vulnerable children, stressing that protecting and supporting the most vulnerable is a collective national responsibility.
Dr Nchemba made the call yesterday during a fundraising event aimed at supporting the development and improvement of service and diakonia centres run by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT), North Eastern Diocese, held in Tanga.
“Responsibilities concerning Tanzanian children living in difficult circumstances and children with special needs should be shouldered by us as Tanzanians,” Dr Nchemba said.
He said declining support from foreign donors should not compromise services for vulnerable groups, urging Tanzanians to ensure that their needs continue to be addressed.
Dr Nchemba commended the church for providing education, health and care services, stressing that children should not be denied education due to visual impairment or other disabilities.
He directed community development officers to identify centres serving vulnerable groups and the beneficiaries of such services, while ensuring that the centres are formally registered to improve coordination of support.
The PM also called on local government leaders to directly support people with disabilities, who cannot support themselves, instead of issuing them with letters to solicit donations.
“I said these people should not be given letters to go around asking for contributions. Instead, they should be supported so that they can return and lead their lives,” he said.
Dr Nchemba said some people with disabilities require loans to expand income-generating activities, while others need assistance to meet their daily needs.
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He directed that people with disabilities should not be forced to join groups as a condition for accessing loans, adding that the government was reviewing ways of improving support systems for people who are unable to support themselves and those caring for them.
He assured religious institutions that the government will continue to work with them in providing spiritual and social services.
Dr Nchemba also urged religious institutions to take advantage of amendments to laws governing charitable institutions and tax exemptions.
He cited government investment in Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) and payment of salaries for workers in some religious institutions as examples of cooperation between government and faith-based organisations.
Earlier, ELCT North Eastern Diocese Bishop Dr Msafiri Mbilu said the fundraising campaign aimed to raise 2bn/- to improve infrastructure, equipment and the environment in which services are provided.
He said the centres faced challenges including ageing buildings, shortages of modern equipment, rising operating costs and an increasing number of people seeking services.
The centres include Bumbuli and Kilindi hospitals, eight health centres, Irente Orphanage Centre, Irente Primary School for the Blind, Irente Centre for Children with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism, Korogwe Mental Health Outpatient Clinic and Lutindi Mental Hospital.
Bishop Mbilu said the institutions provide services to people regardless of religion, ethnicity or economic status.
“When we talk about developing these centres, we are not talking about buildings alone, we are talking about people’s lives, human dignity, hope and the future of the next generation,” he said.
The fundraising drive had so far raised 1.059bn/-, comprising 617m/- received in cash and pledges amounting to 442m/-.
