ASMAA FATHI

Cairo- People with special needs face many challenges in society such as social isolation and stigma and discrimination. Women and children with special needs face more challenges.

NuJINHA spoke to Chaden Moataz, Communication Officer at the Shamseya for Innovative Community Healthcare Systems, a non-for-profit organization based in Egypt, about the activities carried out by the Sahmseya for people with special needs.

Founded in 2012, Shamseya works closely with healthcare providers to find innovative healthcare solutions that patients face. In 2015, the organization implemented a project called, “We Follow Together” in cooperation with Egyptian ministries of health and social solidarity to provide health services to people with special needs. “The aim of the project was to raise awareness and create early detection tools for children with special needs.

‘Producing sustainable solutions is important’

Speaking about the accessibility in health centers, Chaden Moataz said, “Hospitals and health centers must have wheelchair ramps. Producing sustainable solutions is important. Shamseya is a problem solver to challenges facing healthcare. We believe that all individuals with special needs and their families should benefit from health services. A collective effort is required. We can provide better living conditions to women and children with special needs by preventing the exploitation faced by them.”

Pointing to the importance of awareness-raising activities, she said, “The families of children with special needs must be supported so that they can integrate their children into society and develop their skills. We must provide opportunities for them to live, work, and enjoy hobbies and other activities.”

 ‘The group most deprived of their rights to information and protection’

 Magda Soliman, Head of Societal development Unit at the Center For Egyptian Women's Legal Assistance (CEWLA), thinks that the people with special needs are the group most deprived of their rights to information and protection. “The families of children with special needs do not know what their children need and how to treat and guide their children. NGOs should carry out awareness-raising activities to provide necessary information to the families and society.”

Speaking about the health insurance scheme in Egypt, she said, “The families of children with special needs face problems because they cannot cover the costs of health care. They should be supported to meet the special needs of their children, since many of them cannot cover the costs due to their economic conditions and the rising cost of living.”

The CEWLA holds activities for people with special needs and their families. “We organize training courses for mothers so that they learn what they should do for their children. Mothers attending the courses have many questions about hygiene and childcare and whether their children have sexual needs. We should make more efforts about the sexual and reproductive health of women with special needs. NGOs must make great efforts for children with special needs because they are in dire need of support and help.”