On the occasion of the celebration of World Health Day 8th April 2024 on the theme My Health, My Right, by Chetana College of Special Education in collaboration with Special Olympics Bharat-Odisha and Open Learning Systems, Prakash Rath, Area Director of Special Olympics Bharat-Odisha opined that children and adults with intellectual disability neither get proper exposure nor get access to proper healthcare during their formative years leading to poor health condition, medical complications and even premature death.
As per data available with Special Olympics, 23.1% of the population with an intellectual disability never had an eye examination, as high as 36.7% have untreated tooth decay, 40% have a blocked or partially blocked ear canal, 16.1% of youth are obese and 21.8% have bone deformation, stated Rath during his presentation which was attended by more than 120 students, staff members, parents, management members, and healthcare professionals.
Rath informed the audience that to address the issues faced by persons with intellectual disability and to realize their right to health, Special Olympics had started a comprehensive health program named Healthy Athletes long back.
The various components of this program are Opening Eyes, Special Smiles, Healthy Hearing, Health Promotion, Fit Feet, Fun Fitness, and Strong Minds. He pointed out that the programs are held in collaboration with various hospitals, medical colleges, universities, etc.
Special Olympics conducts capacity-building training programs for healthcare professionals and service providers to be better prepared to treat people with intellectual disability.
Rath urged all concerned to come forward and join hands with Special Olympics in bringing about a change for the better in the lives of the people with intellectual disability who bring laurels for the families, the communities they live in, the district, state, and the country through sports and allied activities.
Rath informed the audience that on the same day in 2022, Special Olympics Bharat conducted health screening and awareness campaign events simultaneously at 75 locations throughout the country covering more than 1.75 lakh people with intellectual disability that were witnessed and recognized by Guinness World Records.
