In the online media platform Devex, Shikuku challenges articles and speeches which seek to reassure audiences by saying it is “only” elderly and chronically ill people who are at serious risk of COVID-19.
As someone who grew up with a disability in Kenya, Shikuku argues such language is misguided and can worsen anxieties for people who are at an increased risk.
“The message that I take from this is that there are certain people who are ‘acceptable losses’… who are considered to be more disposable,” he writes. “The language used at times… seems to ignore the fact that the people being talked about as ‘vulnerable’ may also be reading the same articles.”
Dom Haslam, Sightsavers’ deputy CEO, says: “Shikuku’s argument is powerful and highlights why not only universal healthcare but an inclusive approach to all aspects of life are critical.
“We stand with the World Health Organization when we say that no matter who you are or where you come from, everyone is entitled to access quality healthcare on an equal basis.”
Read the full piece here on Devex.
People with disabilities are often left behind and Sightsavers is making it a priority to prevent that from happening with the COVID-19 response. We are doing this by ensuring we shine a spotlight on the impact of COVID-19 on people with disabilities, who could be disproportionally affected, both in terms of potentially being more at risk and less able to access health services, and also in terms of the impact on the support services they require.
CEO Caroline Harper explains what Sightsavers is doing to protect our staff and the communities in all the countries where we work.
Read the statementThe film ‘Can You See Us?’ is based on the life of John Chiti, who is a Zambian albinism rights campaigner and Sightsavers’ ambassador for the African Disability Protocol campaign.
The Promise in Peril campaign culminated at the SDG summit with a declaration reaffirming commitments to achieving the global goals that explicitly references disability rights.
Dr Jalikatu Mustapha trained with Sightsavers between 2012 and 2016, becoming the only female ophthalmologist in the country.