Activists demand inclusion of persons with disabilities in gov’t healthcare system

AMMAN — A group of activists earlier this week handed Health Minister Nathir Obeidat a petition signed by 12,000 individuals demanding the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the government healthcare system. 

“We met with the minister on Saturday and handed him a petition that was signed by people with disabilities, parents of people with disabilities and human rights activists demanding the proper application of Article 24 of the Law on the Rights of People with Disabilties,” the spokesperson of the “Ibni” campaign, Anas Damra, said.

Article 24 of the law on persons with disabilities stipulates guaranteeing free access to all medical, therapeutic and rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities.

The Persons with Disabilities Law was endorsed by Parliament in May 2017 and included a “clear” anti-discrimination provision and broadened the definition of disability.

The law stipulates that the government should incorporate the needs and rights of people with disabilities in their programmes and plans, while intensifying the oversight system, especially in disability care centres. 

Damra told The Jordan Times that the campaign slogan has two meanings: “My child” and “Let us build”.

“Our demands are mainly to secure better health and rehabilitation services find insurance for persons with disabilities at government health facilities since such services are very expensive in the private sector,” Damra noted.

In a statement that was made available to The Jordan Times, the campaign organisers said they acknowledge the “exceptional situation that the Kingdom is going through due to the COVID-19 crisis”.

However, there are thousands of people with disabilities and their families who are suffering daily because of the lack of health and rehabilitation services in the Health Ministry’s facilities, the statement said.

The campaign also called on the Health Ministry to issue a health insurance card covering all treatment and rehabilitation services, which include surgical procedures, medicines, vaccines, assistive devices and rehabilitation sessions — physiotherapy, occupational, behavioural, psychological and speech sessions— at health centres, according to the statement.

Ibni campaign is a civil movement that was initiated at the end of 2020 by people with disabilities and their families, activists and advocates of people who are affected by lack of services.

Their goal is to form a society that protects and defends the rights of persons with disabilities in Jordan, the statement added.  

Obeidat instructed relevant officials at the ministry to follow up on the matter, according to Damra.

The health minister was unavailable for comment when contacted by The Jordan Times on Monday. 

According to the Department of Statistics, in 2015, an estimated 11.2 per cent of the population are with disabilities. 

In December, His Majesty King Abdullah commended the determination of people with disabilities, reaffirming his pride in their initiatives and achievements.

At a meeting with people with disabilities, via video call attended by Her Majesty Queen Rania, King Abdullah told them they exemplify Jordanian perseverance, saying: “Each one of you is a success story”.

His Majesty urged the attendees to share their experiences with the community to inspire Jordanians with their positivity, noting that institutions must work more with people with disabilities.