Jisr al-Shughur Begins Registration for Disability Identification Cards
The Department of Social Affairs and Labor in the city of Jisr al-Shughur, located in the western countryside of Idlib, has officially begun accepting applications from persons with disabilities. This initiative aims to accurately record the number of individuals in this demographic and issue official identification cards, which will allow them to verify their health and social status with official entities and facilitate access to designated rights and services.
Mamdouh al-Hardan, head of the Department of Social Affairs and Labor in Jisr al-Shughur, stated that the initiative is part of a broader effort to implement the issuance of disability cards. The project is being carried out through a joint collaboration between the Directorate of Social Affairs and Labor in Idlib, the Directorate of International Cooperation, and the Health Directorate, with support from UNICEF and under the guidance of the Idlib Governorate administration. This development marks a significant milestone, as Idlib was previously the only governorate that had lacked such identification cards for the past 14 years.
Regarding statistics and data, al-Hardan noted that the department has mobilized all its resources to identify beneficiaries with precision. Preliminary data indicates that there are more than 1,116 cases eligible for registration in the region, with over 500 of those located within the city of Jisr al-Shughur itself. It is estimated that the total number of individuals who will undergo medical examinations across the entire Jisr al-Shughur region will reach approximately 5,200.
Al-Hardan emphasized that all candidates for the cards will be subject to a medical assessment by a specialized committee. This committee will meet weekly at the city’s health clinic to verify that applicants meet the established criteria.
The initiative covers a broad range of categories, including individuals with congenital disabilities, those with disabilities resulting from the war or accidents, and previously registered cases. The process is intended to establish a comprehensive database that enables beneficiaries to access essential health and educational services. Furthermore, there is the potential for future financial or in-kind support programs, depending on the mechanisms to be announced by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor.
To register, applicants must provide four personal photographs, a record from the civil registry, and a contact phone number. Once these are submitted, the applicant is issued a health card, through which their file is referred to the medical committee. Following approval, the documents are sent to the directorate in Idlib to issue the final identification card. The initiative has been welcomed by local residents and the families of those with disabilities, who view the card as a vital step in securing the necessary medical care and supplies. They expressed hope that these procedures would help facilitate the inclusion of persons with disabilities into society and alleviate their daily living burdens.
Source: Syria Focus Arabic
