1st care home for blind elderly women opened

Egypt’s Minister of Social Solidarity Nevine el-Qabbag, who is also Board Chairman of Nasser Social Bank, witnessed on Wednesday a function organised by Ataa Charitable Fund for supporting people with disabilities and the Al-Noor and Al-Amal Association to open a first care home for blind elderly women under the auspices of the Ministry of Social Solidarity.

The step came within the framework of the celebrations held by the Ministry of Social Solidarity to honour the elderly people.

The minister expressed sincere appreciation to Ataa fund and Al-Nour and Al-Amal Association to help blind disabled people start new life full of hope.

Qabbag said that the government aims to include 2.7 million persons with severe disabilities in its nationwide integrated services card system by 2023.

The minister stressed that in keeping with the spirit of Law 10/2018 – the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Law – the government is keen to work alongside civil society organisations to provide integrated services in health, education, rehabilitation, work, transport sectors to people with special needs.

El-Qabbag asserted there is an ongoing intervention by the ministry to increase general accessibility for people with disabilities.

The Nasser Social Bank has established Ataa charitable investment fund that operates in accordance with the provisions of the capital market law, aiming at investing money returns to support institutions with disabilities, the minister said. The fund aims to finance bodies, associations, and authorities that provide services for people with disabilities in the areas of health and social services.

During the function, Qabbag promised to complete the construction work of the Al-Noor and Al-Amal Association and develop its infrastructure, calling on civil society entities and businessmen to provide more support to the institution.

The minister stressed the importance of providing various aspects of care for people with disabilities. It is indispensable that government efforts join forces with civil society, the private sector, and individuals in financing and supporting these efforts to achieve more integration for Egyptian citizens with special needs.

“The government is attaching paramount importance to improving living conditions of persons with disabilities in response to President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s instructions to provide more support and care for them,” Qabbag said.