A new community initiative called “Wasfat” – meaning prescriptions in Arabic — has been launched by the UAE government to help blind and deaf people get medicines easily.
This initiative, which has been organised by the Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination (ZHO), provides instructions in Braille for the blind and sign language for the deaf.
Meanwhile, the ZHO signed an MOU with the Reyada Management of Medical Facilities and the Medicina Pharmacies Group to provide medical prescriptions in ways accessible for people of determination.
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Wasfat highlights encouragement for independent living among its blind and deaf residents. Dosage instructions are easily understood in Braille and by sign language videos, thereby avoiding unnecessary contact with strangers during the coronavirus pandemic.
The initiative also includes a sign language hotline to serve the deaf by video call, and medicines with the required instructions being delivered to their homes.
Abu Dhabi has about 950 visually-impaired residents and 1,300 others with hearing impairments. ZHO assures that all people of determination across the UAE will be covered by this service.
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Wasfat is looking at ensuring the delivery of ordered medicines and also explaining — how to use these medicines – in the appropriate languages for people of determination,” Abdulla Alhumaidan, ZHO general secretary, said while highlighting the ZHO’s keenness to launch and support various initiatives that serve all groups of people of determination.
Noting that people with hearing impairments often struggle – including the illiterate or those having reading problems – to understand the instructions, Alhumaidan said, adding that the Medicina Pharmacies Group is developing the initiative and training staff, patients and relative in the use of the service. (AW)
