Pakistan: Learning centre for children with Down syndrome opens in Karachi
100,000 children are affected by Down syndrome in province, chief minister says
Karachi: A learning centre has been launched in Karachi to fulfill the special education needs of children with Down syndrome.
The facility was launched by the non-profit Karachi Down Syndrome Programme (KDSP), which has been benefiting over 1,500 affected families to help their members having genetic disorder lead a normal and healthy life.
Programmes run by the KDSP include early childhood intervention, skill development, family support, education, and health care awareness for taking care of persons with Down syndrome.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, along with his Special Assistant for the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Sadiq Memon, launched the learning facility.
Ths chief minister said that it was a refreshing experience for him to spend time with children at the centre as otherwise he had been engaged in rescue and relief activities for flood victims.
Spending time with the special children had given him the strength and energy to continue with his relief and rehabilitation efforts for another two to three months for the calamity-hit people in Sindh.
The floods had caused widespread destruction that the budget allocated for regular development works in the province would be affected after being reallocated for rescue and relief operations. “But I want to assure that budget for empowering the differently abled persons in Sindh will not be slashed as these special persons need more support during such trying times,” he said.
The CM said around 100,000 children were affected by Down syndrome in the province.
He asked the KSDP to join hands with his government to open more such centres in major cities of the province for the specialised care of children with Down syndrome.
Shah said that the government would provide necessary funds for launching more such facilities in Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mirpurkhas, Larkana, and Nawabshah in Sindh.
“Funds will never be an issue as I’ll provide whatever money is needed to establish such facilities but I do need the support of the committed and passionate people from the non-governmental sector who could tirelessly work for the rehabilitation of the special children as government servants generally lack such passion,” he added.