The Paraplegic Centre Peshawar (PCP), in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), hosted a significant event in Peshawar on Wednesday to observe the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The gathering focused on pushing forward disability-inclusive development throughout Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Government Pledges and Provincial Challenges
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Health Minister, Mian Khaliq-ur-Rehman, attended as the chief guest and commended the PCP for its decades of service in rehabilitating individuals with disabilities. He assured the provincial government's ongoing partnership to enhance both physical and psychological rehabilitation services.
Minister Rehman pointed out that KP endures a disproportionately high number of injuries from road accidents and terrorism compared to other regions, making robust rehabilitation systems critically important. He stressed that meeting this scale of need demands consistent allocation of resources. The Minister also confirmed that commitments made by former prime ministers and chief ministers during their visits to the PCP would now be implemented.
ICRC's Decades of Partnership and Impact
Bruno Radicchi, head of the ICRC Sub-Delegation, detailed the organization's long-term commitment to physical rehabilitation in Pakistan, which began in 1984. Since 2009, the ICRC has provided over 43,000 artificial limbs and 136,000 assistive devices across the country.
Radicchi emphasized that their mission extends beyond devices to ensuring full societal participation for persons with disabilities. He highlighted the ICRC's foundational role in establishing the PCP in the 1980s and noted their current support, alongside PCP, for ten rehabilitation centers in KP. Their comprehensive programs include facilitating education, vocational training, and micro-economic projects to empower individuals as active contributors to society.
Growing Demand and a Call for Expansion
Dr. Syed Muhammad Ilyas, Chief Executive of PCP, informed the audience that while the center historically treated patients from across Pakistan and Afghanistan, the current demand has massively outstripped its capacity. He stated that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa now urgently requires at least four additional rehabilitation centers to cope with the growing needs.
The event was made more poignant by a poetry session led by persons with disabilities, where verses powerfully expressed themes of empowerment and inclusion. Several disability rights organizations also participated with stalls, highlighting the collaborative spirit essential for achieving meaningful social inclusion.
