SURKHET: The Karnali Province Government has partnered with 14 local levels to implement a disability prevention and rehabilitation program.

The program, aimed at providing treatment, prevention, and rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities, will be carried out through the local governments, as announced by the Province’s Ministry of Social Development.

The program will be jointly funded by the Karuna Foundation Nepal, the provincial government, the federal government, and the respective local levels, each contributing 25% of the cost.

Following the success of a similar program in 137 municipalities of Koshi Province, the Karnali Province Government has prepared guidelines to expand the program to its 14 municipalities.

The Ministry of Social Development had called for proposals from local levels to participate in the program. Out of the 79 local levels in Karnali, 14 have submitted proposals, as informed by Subarna Khadka, the Chief of the Social Development Section.

The 14 local levels participating in the program include Bheriganga Municipality, Panchapuri Municipality, Chaukune Rural Municipality, Simta Rural Municipality in Surkhet; Raskot Municipality, SaniTribeni Rural Municipality and Shubkalika Rural Municipality in Kalikot.

Additionally, municipalities in Rukum West, Dolpa, Dailekh, Salyan, and Humla are also included.

The program is expected to benefit approximately 10,000 individuals with disabilities in these localities. However, the program’s implementation will depend on the proposals from the local levels.

According to the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Social Development, the program will include activities such as disability prevention and facilitation, identification and treatment of disabilities, programs aimed at improving the living standards of persons with disabilities and their families, and institutional strengthening.

The Ministry will also collaborate with national and international organizations such as Karuna Foundation Nepal, NFD-N, and UNICEF for technical cooperation.