Speaking to journalists on Wednesday in Blantyre, Executive Director of MANAD, Byson Chimenya said government should introduce sign language to all people in the country in order to ease communication for persons with deafness in the country.

“We know that the government is doing its part but not much as it has to take huge responsibility to assist deaf persons. We have to know that this is a hidden disability so we need the government to intervene.

“For instance, when a deaf person wants to seek a job, go to hospital, it is difficult for one to access services since there are no sign language interpreters in those facilities,” Chimenya stressed.

Chimenya also appealed to the government to increase funds they allocate from the annual national budget and also provide access to loans to the disabled so that they can start income generating activities.

Meanwhile, counsellor for MANAD, Juliana Mwase asked religious leaders to consider hiring interpreters in religious services so that they too have an access to spiritual support.

MANAD has published a sign language dictionary to be released in November which will help ease some of their challenges they encounter to communicate with people.

As for now there are over 400, 000 people with deafness in the country.