MINISTER of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, has explained that the delay in the tabling of the Disability Bill in Parliament is because of concerns about certain stipulations in it and the draft had to be adjusted and sent back to Cabinet.

He said one of the problem areas surrounded the fact that the document called for each disabled person to be the responsibility of the State.

But, despite his promise that the legislation is on a priority list, the Disability Movement and other stakeholders have resolved to carry on with their mandates, instead of pinning all hopes on it.

“We can’t do much other than wait but we are hoping that the Bill is finally passed,” said Ms. Beverly Pile, Administrator of the National Commission on Disability (NCD).

She said NCD is continuing with its work, which includes capacity building in the Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs) as well as awareness and advocacy.

Pile said one of the greatest successes in the movement is the establishment of the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities, which provide the DPOs with one voice.

The objective of that body is to create a forum from which DPOs can gain support, through advocacy and other means and enable the achievement of their full potential.

According to Council President, Mr. Leon Walcott, passage of the law will be most welcome as, without legislative backing, there is not much that DPOs can do.

Until then, however, he said his attitude is one that sees him working on different initiatives to promote their cause.

Walcott acknowledged that, despite the delay with the Bill, Minister Ramsammy has always been supportive of their activities, for which he is extremely grateful