Survey finds surge in sensory, neurological issues among 50+
Nagpur: Early findings from the
Nagpur Municipal Corporation
's (NMC) door-to-door
disability survey
reveal a troubling trend — citizens aged 50 and above are increasingly vulnerable to
sensory loss
and
neurological disorders
such as blindness, hearing impairment, Parkinson's disease, and mental illness.
Despite the seriousness of the exercise, the citywide survey crawled to just 12.83% completion, raising concerns over citizen engagement. The ongoing survey — mandated under the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act
, 2016, and directed by Maharashtra govt — aims to build a database of persons with disabilities (PwDs) across all 10 NMC zones.
The survey is being conducted under the leadership of commissioner and administrator Abhijeet Chaudhari, with guidance from additional commissioners Vasumana Pant and Vaishnavi B, deputy commissioner Ranjana Lade, and medical health officer Dr Deepak Selokar. Trained ASHA workers, in collaboration with the Mahatma Gandhi Seva Sangh, are collecting household-level data on 21 recognised disabilities. The findings will be critical in shaping a five-year civic action plan to deliver targeted healthcare, welfare schemes, and accessibility measures for Nagpur's disabled population.
NMC has appealed citizens to cooperate fully by disclosing any disability — whether by birth, due to accidents, hereditary issues, illness, or age-related decline. "This is about inclusivity and ensuring no citizen is left behind," said an official. Without widespread cooperation, officials warn, thousands may remain invisible to the system — and excluded from crucial govt aid.
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Nagpur: Early findings from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation's (NMC) door-to-door disability survey reveal a troubling trend — citizens aged 50 and above are increasingly vulnerable to sensory loss and neurological disorders such as blindness, hearing impairment, Parkinson's disease, and mental illness.
Despite the seriousness of the exercise, the citywide survey crawled to just 12.83% completion, raising concerns over citizen engagement. The ongoing survey — mandated under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and directed by Maharashtra govt — aims to build a database of persons with disabilities (PwDs) across all 10 NMC zones.
The survey is being conducted under the leadership of commissioner and administrator Abhijeet Chaudhari, with guidance from additional commissioners Vasumana Pant and Vaishnavi B, deputy commissioner Ranjana Lade, and medical health officer Dr Deepak Selokar. Trained ASHA workers, in collaboration with the Mahatma Gandhi Seva Sangh, are collecting household-level data on 21 recognised disabilities. The findings will be critical in shaping a five-year civic action plan to deliver targeted healthcare, welfare schemes, and accessibility measures for Nagpur's disabled population.
NMC has appealed citizens to cooperate fully by disclosing any disability — whether by birth, due to accidents, hereditary issues, illness, or age-related decline. "This is about inclusivity and ensuring no citizen is left behind," said an official. Without widespread cooperation, officials warn, thousands may remain invisible to the system — and excluded from crucial govt aid.
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