Men have been cautioned against dumping their wives for giving birth to children with special needs.
Machakos County Health executive Dr Daniel Yumbya reiterated that there was an increase in cases of men who ditch their marriages after their wives deliver children with disability. Yumbya said it wasn’t only a Machakos County problem, but national.
“There are men who after siring children with disabilities like these ones, run away from their marriages by dumping wives, they leave the wives alone,” Yumbya said.
Yumbya spoke during a Diaper for Smile event at Athi River Level 4 hospital in Mavoko subcounty on Friday.
More than 300 children living with Cerebral palsy benefited from free diapers as their parents received the necessities alongside an assortment of foodstuff donations courtesy of the Machakos County Government in partnership with Noweza for Special Needs Foundation, Rotary Club of Athi River and Nyota Njema Real Estate.
He said the responsibility of raising children lies on both parents despite the conditions in which they are born hence unfair for men to abandon their wives for such reasons.
“So, let’s all unite, help each other as couples to ensure that children with such conditions are helped,” Yumbya said.
Yumbya lauded the three organisations for raising funds alongside other resources to put smiles on the faces of children living with Cerebral palsy in Machakos County and its environs.
“Governor Wavinya Ndeti will host this group here at Athi River Level 4 hospital in October. As a county government, we have also contributed towards this noble course,” Yumbya said.
He urged parents with disabled children not to lock them in houses and instead get them out, and interact with the public as well as fellow parents with such children for necessary assistance and support.
“A problem discussed is half solved. It’s good to be together, discuss, share experiences and encourage each other. Know that these children are God’s creation,” Yumbya added.
Yumbya said the Governor had ordered the establishment of a unit for assessment and examination of children with special needs at the facility.
“We have already established the unit and children shouldn’t be charged for services, they should be offered free of charge,” he said.
Noweza for Special Needs Foundation CEO Damaris Kilelo said the Diaper for a Smile event was their 13th season.
“We bring mothers together, talk to them, encourage them on problems they face as caregivers of children with disabilities,” Kilelo told the press at the event’s sidelines.
Kilelo said diaper access was a major challenge to such children. She said without diapers, they fail to be consistent in therapies.
“They get stigmatised going to public transport without diapers. So, as Noweza, we give them diapers. We have registered success since they are consistent in their therapy sessions. The end goal is to have them become independent,” Kilelo said.
Kilelo said diapers aren’t a luxury to children with special needs, but a necessity.
“Diapers are expensive, a packet is Sh2, 500 and a child uses an average of four pieces in a day. Our call is that we support these caregivers so that we be able to cater for such children,” she said.
She raised issues with most of the houses being constructed in the country stating they weren’t friendly for children with special needs.
“We can’t access them with our wheelchairs. We equally urge the government to donate assistive devices to such children,” Kilelo said.
Rotary Club of Athi River president Jane Kombo the initiative was close to their heart as a club since among their focus areas is maternal and child health.
“This is a special group within that area. Children with Cerebral palsy are in our society. These are children who need constant and close care, the financial implications and support they require is steep,” Kombo said.
“So, as a club, we felt it important to be part of this initiative by donating diapers and foodstuff that will support parents who take care of the children,” Kombo said.
Kombo said it wasn’t their first initiative at the facility noting that they had earlier in the year as Rotary and Rotaracts maternal beds.
“Before that, we have been here to do other initiatives within this specific hospital. We are happy to give back to the society through these initiatives,” she said.
She said they had running projects on the environment, peacebuilding, economic empowerment, and basic education literacy initiatives, all around their communities.
“We have adopted Athi River primary and secondary schools and you will be witnessing the project we are implementing with them. We also continue to support our beneficiaries mentally, financially and through health discussions which we offer as Rotary Club,” Kombo said.
Nyota Njema Real Estate sales manager Precious Muthoni called on other brands, philanthropists, corporates, industrialists, companies and well-wishers to join hands in supporting such initiatives as Corporate Social Responsibility.
“We are here not just to sell land and offer business solutions, but also to give back to society,” Muthoni said.
“Women are many here who need assistance, we also mentor youth on career growth and development,” Muthoni said.
Norah Masinde, a mother of a five-year-old child living with Cerebral palsy said the initiative was a reprieve to them.
“I am a beneficiary of the programme. We have problems as caregivers ranging from access to diapers, food, drugs and healthcare. The program has transformed my life, we have smiles as mothers,” Masinde said.
Masinde, however, noted that most of them can’t afford therapy for their children stating they were expensive.
“We call on the government to support us, the drugs are expensive too,” Masinde said.
