By: Kassim Kajosolo
The Spiral Injuries Association of Malawi (SIAM) has called for the training and organisation of caregivers of persons with disabilities, saying such initiatives are key to improving the quality of care in the country.
Speaking at the close of a two-day training in Lilongwe on Thursday, SIAM Executive Director, Bylon Kondowe, said caregivers require both knowledge and support to perform their duties effectively.
“We wanted to train the caregivers so that they understand not only the rights of people with disabilities but also their own rights as caregivers,” said Kondowe. He further encouraged the formation of a caregivers’ association to provide a platform for sharing experiences and ideas.
One of the trainees, Marlene Kaliko, who was elected interim chairperson of the proposed Caregivers Association, said many caregivers face serious challenges in their work.
“Depression, anxiety and lack of information on proper care are some of the major difficulties we encounter,” Kaliko said. “This training will go a long way in helping us to address these challenges.”
The participants were trained in a wide range of areas, including disability-related legal issues, human rights, and the health and wellbeing of both persons with disabilities and their caregivers.
With support from the Disability Rights Fund, SIAM managed to train about 20 caregivers drawn from across Malawi.