25th September, 2018 The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) through the Social Protection and Disability Division conducted its Annual Caregivers Training today at Basilica’s Conference Room. The training aims to ensure that carers’ of persons with disabilities are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills of how to care for persons with disabilities.
Deputy CEO, Ms. Lu’isa Manuofetoa said the workshop provides a platform for carers to share best practices and lessons learnt with service providers, NGOs and line ministries.
“This training is taking a holistic approach to ensure that persons with disabilities are not only in good and safe hands but at the end of this training carers are more competent with appropriate skills and knowledge.”
She said the training also helps to motivate persons with disability to join the employment force with economic efforts to improve the economic status of the country as well as having a “healthy, happy and a life full of joy and opportunities.
Manuofetoa said that the training also calls for processes to eradicate extreme hardship and poverty, create a healthy lifestyle for persons with disabilities, promote gender equality and empower persons with disabilities and ensure that no one is left behind.
She explained that there are 932 persons with extreme disabilities in Tonga assisted by the government through the A’u Ki ai Cash Assistance of $75pa’anga a month. Most of them are diagnosed with mobility impairments followed by mental and psycho-social disorders.
“From the 2016 census, 10.6% of the nation’s total population is persons with disabilities or the marginalized. That is a total of 11,236 persons.”
“The government hand in hand with faith based institutions and NGOs, service providers and civil societies are on the front line to assist.”
Manuofetoa reassured participants and guests that with God’s assistance Tonga will be able to ensure that no one is left behind and there is a safe net for persons with disabilities.
ENDS
Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications