The Malawi National Association of the Deaf (Manad) has singled out lack of access to information as a major challenge its members are facing in the country.

Manad Board Chairperson Stepheno Maneya said this on Monday in Lilongwe during launch of the International Deaf Week which is being observed under the theme: “Building Inclusive Communities”.

According to Maneya, there is minimal focus when it comes to integration of sign language interpreters in various social services across the country.

He said: “We are facing a number of challenges for instance, members from the deaf community lack access to information and communication for example most information that is aired on television stations is not accessible to deaf people because there is no insight of sign language interpreters.

“Most children who are deaf have difficulties to access education and there is inadequate number of professional sign language interpreters, in Malawi we have very few numbers of interpreters who are officially trained and certified to offer the service.”

In her response, the responsible Deputy Minister for Gender Agnes Mkusa-Nkhoma said much as the country is not registering much-needed progress on the deaf community, government is committed to ensuring that there is inclusion of service to the deaf people.

“Indeed, teaching materials are a challenge as of now, as a Ministry we are going to sit down with the Department to see what it is we can do, I know the devices are very important,” Mkusa-Nkhoma said.

According to the national population census of 2018, Malawi has 377, 790 deaf people 2.5 percent of the national population.

Events marking commemoration of the week will be held this coming Friday in Zomba.