Major current problems with orthopedic related disability in Ethiopia

1. Major current problems with orthopedic related disability in Ethiopia Dr. Tadese Shimelis (MD) Orthopedic surgeon at Black Lion Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

2. Disability is one of the social problems prevalent in our country. • According to the International Rehabilitation Review, about 10% of the world’s population has disabilities of which 80% found in developing countries. UNDCO

3. In accordance with developmental social welfare policy (1996) of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, a total of 23 types of disabilities have been identified in a country. UNDCO

4. Studies carried out indicate that 85% of all disabled citizens live in the rural areas and with regard to this problem, children and elders are the most vulnerable segments of the society. UNDCO

5. According to the country’s profile, study on persons with disabilities carried out by Wa’el International Business and Development Consultant (2008) 1,488,892 disabled citizens are found in Ethiopia. • Out of this, about 833,653 (56%) are found in Oromia National Regional State. UNDCO

6. In terms of the type of disability and age group, of this disabled persons found in Oromia, about 433,487 (52%) are persons with leg, hand and arm problems with below 30 years old. UNDCO

7. Persons with disability in Ethiopia do not often have access to rehabilitative services; • Simply because the availability of these services are very much limited. UNDCO

8. Furthermore, background societal attitudes and prejudice against the victims perpetuate fatalism, that is, the victims and their loved ones would rather learn how to live with the problem accepting it as God’s will than seek remedy for it. UNDCO

9. The end result is that even those who could have been made productive become either through life-time dependents on their • Kith and kin or • Resort to begging. UNDCO

10. The rehabilitative services that are available today for persons with disability in our country emphasize institutional care are costly and, therefore, greatly limited to the number of beneficiaries. • Worse yet, the institutions are very few and urban–concentrated and thus exclude the majority of those who need these services. UNDCO

11. The problem is aggravated by, • Inadequate nutrition, • Limited access to health-care and • Educational services as well as • High prevalence of harmful traditional practices. UNDCO

12. The major current problems with orthopedic related disability in Ethiopia, including Oromia are: • Lack of public understanding; • Lack of information on the number and status of disabilities; UNDCO

13. Shortage of basic needs such as vocational training, housing, health care facilities, etc; • Inaccessibility to • Professional counseling and support, • Assistive devices , • Rehabilitation services, and others. UNDCO

14. In Ethiopia, some associate disability with spiritual evil does not let disabled persons to go out in public. • This leads to families hiding a disabled family member which leads to , • Human rights violation, • Psychological distress, • Inaccurate information and statistics on disabilities. UNDCO

15. Others consider persons with disabilities as totally incapable citizen whatever remedies or supports available for them. • This in turn , develops • Negative attitude towards disabilities and • Unwillingness to support them by their families and communities in various respects. UNDCO

16. Such harmful traditional attitudes, norms and practices towards disabilities, • Accompanied by lack of conducive situations that enable persons with disabilities use their abilities as individuals or in association with others to contribute for the development of society, as well as receive appropriate medical/health services. UNDCO

17. In the context of their families and community, atmosphere aggravates the situations of persons with disabilities in Ethiopia, with no exception to the situations in Oromia. • Thus, the problem of persons with disabilities is a critical issue that deserves the attention of all mankind. UNDCO

18. The issue of disabled citizens is the concern of the world. • That is why member countries of United Nation have adopted Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities on the 13th day of Dec. 2006. UNDCO

19. Ethiopia as a member of United Nation has signed and adopted this convention on the rights of persons with disability. • As a result, the proclamation cited as “convention on the rights of persons with disability ratification proclamation No. 676/2010” is proclaimed and come into force. UNDCO

20. The constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, proclaimed in 1994, has laid down foundation to ensure the welfare of especially the disabled, the elderly as well as that of orphaned and abandoned children. UNDCO

21. Based on this constitution, Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs formulated a policy cited as “Developmental social welfare policy” on November 1996. UNDCO

22. The main objective of this policy which has been formulated in support of potential development, prevention and rehabilitation is the creation of a social condition favorable to a healthy life and a sustainable development. UNDCO

23. The policy primarily intended to address the social welfare of children, youth, family, women, the elders, persons with physical and mental impairment and segments of society under the rubric social problems to achieve what is intended in the policy. UNDCO

24. In this regard, this project is basically intended to address the social welfare of persons with physical impairment. • Among this segment of the society, the project specifically intended to address children and youths. UNDCO

25. Moreover, the objectives and approaches of the project directly coincide with majority of general strategy that has been designed in developmental social welfare policy. UNDCO

26. The project will be involved in • Capacity building • Intervention of disabled persons in conditions equipping them with basic assistive appliances and services together with necessary • Skill training and offering need-based guidance and counseling service. UNDCO

27. To achieve what is intended, • Community participation will be key strategy for the project. For this, advocacy and awareness creation will be focused. UNDCO

28. Moreover, partnership and coordination with community based associations, local leaders and concerned government bodies will be addressed in the project. UNDCO

29. In addition, • Conducting study on the practices and problems of implementing policies and strategies on disabled citizens, • Identifying prevailing problems and recommending possible measures for further effectiveness are also among specific objectives of the project. UNDCO

30. For Details • Refer the proposal of the project. UNDCO

31. Contact Address • Dr. Tadese Shimelis (MD) • Orthopedic surgeon at Black Lion Hospital • Assistant professor of Orthopedic and Traumatology at Addis Ababa University • Executive committee member of ESOT • Board member of Universal Disability Charity Organization (UNDCO) • Mob. +251912611823, +251930098349 • Email.tadeseshimelis@yahoo.com UNDCO