Disabled societies petition against closure of clinic

Tamale, May 16, GNA -- Disabled societies in Tamale on Monday asked the government to intervene to restore the waiver on import duties on drugs donated to the Shaken Clinic at Guru neat Tamale.

The authorities of the clinic on Friday closed down the clinic, which offers free care to the destitute because it is unable to pay duties on drugs and other medicaments donated by its foreign partners.

The call was contained in a petition routed through the Tamale Resource Centre for People With Disabilities (RCPWD) which is made up of the societies of the physically disabled, deaf and dumb and the destitute as well as the association for the blind.

Mr Abdul-Samed Sulemana, administrator of the RCPWD said the members are worried that with the closure of the clinic most of them will be forced unto the streets without any support.

The clinic founded by Dr David Abudulai, gained national and international recognition for its humanitarian services which includes feeding the destitute including lunatics and beggars free of charge.

It receives donations from philanthropist abroad to support its work. Mr Sulemana said the closure of the clinic would therefore cause a lot of hardship for the destitute who normally cannot afford medical treatment at the public hospitals.

Members of the societies gave notice of their intention to undertake a peaceful demonstration if the waiver is not restored within the next three days.