Hanoi (VNA) – The National Committee for Vietnamese Persons with Disabilities made its debut in Hanoi on January 18.
Addressing the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam called on the entire society to provide all possible support for the disabled, saying that it is the social responsibility of all people.
The committee is chaired by Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Pham Thi Hai Chuyen and is tasked with coordinating with ministries, agencies and localities to deal with issues involving the disabled.
According to the committee, the country currently records 7.2 million people aged five or above living with disabilities, or 7.8 percent of the population. About 28.9 percent of the disabled are severe or especially severe cases.
Roughly 15 percent of the disabled are living in poor households who still face discrimination, it admitted.
The number of the disabled is forecast to rise in the coming years, due to population aging, environment pollution, climate change, traffic and occupational accidents.
Between 2016 and 2020, the committee has set the goal of helping the disabled integrate into the community in all aspects - to effectively realise Vietnam’s policies, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
It suggested ministries and agencies amend and supplement vocational training and employment policies, improve the quality of health care and rehabilitation services for the disabled, ensure their better access to buildings and public transport, while adopting technological advances in effectuating relevant policies.-VNA
