The Malawi Union for the Blind (MUB) has asked the newly appointed special advisor to the president on People with Albinism and disability, Overstone Kondowe, to focus on mainstreaming issues of disability and ensuring that the department has focal points in all the ministries.

On August 15, President Lazarus Chakwera appointed Kondowe as his special advisor on People Living with Albinism and Disability.

MUB Programmes Officer, Latimu Matenje, said most people in the country are ignorant on issues of disabilities.

Matenje said: “We expect much from him especially mainstreaming of disability because its not well understood and not well established in other ministries than that of disability.”

He therefore expressed the need for the disability to have focal points in all ministries.

Matenje also called on Kondowe to ensure that inclusive education initiative is result oriented saying currently the authorities are just focusing on the number of disabled people who are enrolled in schools without following up on those who are successfully graduating.

He further said Kondowe has capabilities to discharge his duties processionary, however, he has advised him to frequently consult widely to ensure inclusiveness of all forms of disabilities.

“He needs to frequently consult leaders and other people in the disability movement in order to be fair to all forms of disabilities,” he advised.