The Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa wants parliament through the Health and Equal Opportunities committee to ensure that people affected by Down syndrome are treated equally and fairly.
Hon Tayebwa who was speaking on Tuesday at the celebration to mark World Down Syndrome Day under the theme: 'With Us Not For Us' at the International School of Uganda notes that leaders have an obligation to work towards finding a cure for children born with Down syndrome.
“We need to work together to support research organizations which are working tremendously hard to find a cure for Down syndrome" he said.
“We shall work closely the Ministry of Health to see how best such a disease can be brought to the forefront of the conversation”, we should not fear speaking about this condition. We need to raise awareness among the masses so that people suffering from Down syndrome are helped and not stigmatized,” Tayebwa said.
Down syndrome is a congenital condition characterized by a distinctive pattern of physical characteristics including a flattened skull, pronounced folds of skin in the inner corners of the eyes, large tongue, and short stature, and by some degree of limitation of intellectual ability and social and practical skills. It usually arises from a defect involving chromosome 21.
Anny Niwagaba who works with Angel Centre says it is important to give chance to people living with Down syndrome,” she said.
These children face so many complications but little has been done to support them, “she added.
