Cairo: Jasour – News Desk
Dr. Iman Karim, General Supervisor of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and intervention in improving the lives of children with Down syndrome. She highlighted that it helps them develop their physical, mental, and social abilities.
Dr. Karim clarified that Down syndrome is not a disease but rather a natural genetic condition caused by a cell division error during fetal development, leading to changes in physical and mental development. Down syndrome is among the most common genetic disorders, and its challenges can be addressed through family support, quality healthcare, and suitable educational and rehabilitation opportunities.
In a statement issued by the National Council for Persons with Disabilities on the occasion of World Down Syndrome Day, celebrated annually on March 21, Dr. Karim reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to supporting and empowering individuals with Down syndrome and promoting their rights in all aspects of life. This commitment is pursued through policies and programs aimed at achieving their full inclusion in society and enhancing their quality of life, including:
Collaborating with ministries and government institutions to ensure suitable educational opportunities and promoting their inclusion in public schools.
Launching awareness campaigns highlighting their rights and combating bullying and discrimination in various areas.
Implementing economic empowerment and employment programs in partnership with the private sector to provide job opportunities tailored to their abilities and potential.
Supporting families by guiding them on best practices for raising children with Down syndrome.
Offering rehabilitation programs that develop the skills of children and youth with Down syndrome through council initiatives, such as the ‘My Family is My Strength’ initiative.
Working with civil society organizations to launch community initiatives that enhance the participation of individuals with Down syndrome in various sports, artistic, and cultural activities.
Dr. Karim pointed out that rehabilitation and training programs enable individuals with Down syndrome to achieve academic, professional, and personal milestones aligned with their abilities and potential. She stated that despite the challenges they face, individuals with Down syndrome can learn, work, and actively participate in society when given the appropriate support. Many of them accomplish achievements in education, sports, arts, and various professions, leading largely independent lives.
She also emphasized that World Down Syndrome Day is an opportunity to spotlight the achievements and challenges of this group, noting the Council’s efforts to provide necessary support to them and their families through awareness, rehabilitation, and training programs to ensure a dignified life free from discrimination.
Dr. Karim renewed her call to the media, educational institutions, employers, and society as a whole to adopt more inclusive policies and practices, stating, ‘Individuals with Down syndrome are not just part of society; they are an added value to it. Let us work together to make their world fairer and brighter.’
She noted that the Egyptian state’s efforts to support individuals with Down syndrome are evident in their inclusion under the Persons with Disabilities Rights Law No. 10 of 2018, the establishment of specialized centers providing medical care, physical therapy, and early intervention for children with Down syndrome, as well as their empowerment to participate in sports, cultural, and other activities.”
