Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Initial report submitted by Nicaragua under article 35 of the Convention, due in 2009 * , **
[Date received: 8 May 2019]
I.Introduction
1.Nicaragua has a land area of 130,373.5 square kilometres (km2), which has now been extended by 90,000 km2 of the Caribbean Sea, an area it obtained the rights to through the International Court of Justice. Serving a population of 5,954,900 inhabitants, the Government of Reconciliation and National Unity takes seriously its commitment to provide comprehensive support to persons with disabilities through social, economic and political programmes. Persons with disabilities themselves drive progress in the attainment of their rights through the direct participation of their representatives in federations and associations.
2.The State and Government have led a determined fight to restore the rights of the Nicaraguan population through State institutions, trade organizations and social movements, thus fully re-establishing lost rights that were denied for 16 years by the neoliberal leaders who reversed the progress that had been achieved during the first phase of the Sandinista Popular Revolution in the 1980s.
3.The 2012–2016 National Human Development Plan sets out lines of action for building an egalitarian, fair and compassionate society that is committed to the fundamental values of Nicaraguans from all of the country’s communities, and especially from historically excluded groups, such as persons with disabilities, that are now being prioritized and actively integrated.
4.The return to power of President Daniel Ortega in January 2007 has helped to secure absolute stability and the recognition of the rights of persons with disabilities, thereby improving the standard of living of a segment of the population who have seen their rights restored in the areas of equality, fairness, respect for their ideas, health, rehabilitation, education, employment and self-employment. In addition, there is now greater awareness; infrastructural work has been carried out to ensure the accessibility of public, private and community spaces; laws have been adopted; and international treaties and protocols have been recognized.
5.By ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Nicaragua acknowledged on the world stage that it must work to secure rights, with all public servants sharing a duty to implement the law. Nicaragua has also now recognized the Optional Protocol before the United Nations, and this has allowed for significant progress to be made on the basis of social justice, Christianity, socialism and solidarity.
6.As a State, Nicaragua sees as a benefit and an opportunity its duty to submit this report, which reflects the progress achieved since it ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This instrument is leading the country to achieve extraordinary goals in terms of the enjoyment of rights, driven mainly by the social and economic policy adopted by the Government of Reconciliation and National Unity.
II.Background
7.The executive branch of the State of Nicaragua has been the main promoter of rights restitution, especially for persons who are vulnerable to danger, natural disasters, poverty, social exclusion and discrimination on account of politics, religion or sexual orientation.
8.The rights of campesinos and workers were realized during the government of the Sandinista Popular Revolution, paving the way for agricultural reform with a leading role for young people. Through social security, the reform benefited thousands of Nicaraguans who had suffered the adverse effects of the violent assault of the 1980s and had been left with a disability, irrespective of their allegiance. In addressing this situation, the Government paid particular attention to the health and rehabilitation, both in Nicaragua and abroad, of those persons who had acquired a disability, thus recognizing their rights.
9.All the rights realized during the revolution in the 1990s and the early 2000s were revoked by the successive neoliberal Governments that claimed the executive and legislative power to reform laws, decrees and protocols, thereby condemning persons with disabilities to social, economic, political and cultural exclusion.
10.On 19 September 2006, during his election campaign, presidential candidate Daniel Ortega signed a memorandum with the Nicaraguan Federation of Associations of Persons with Disabilities that clearly set out the steps he would take to recognize and realize the rights of this segment of the population during his term of office.
11.As a result of this memorandum, Nicaragua signed and ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol. Demonstrating its commitment to the Convention, it then embarked on a process of discussion and analysis of in-force disability laws that led to the adoption of the new Persons with Disabilities Act, which is in line with the Convention and supports the comprehensive enjoyment of the rights of persons with disabilities through the efforts of public and private institutions and society as a whole.
12.Efforts are under way to recognize and restore the rights of persons with disabilities by coordinating the work of Government institutions, the private sector, the National Council for the Promotion and Application of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the parliamentary committees on accessibility, inclusive education, sports and legal affairs.
13.Furthermore, since persons with disabilities are represented in the Office of the Civil Branch of Government for Organizations of Persons with Disabilities, they are able to engage in horizontal communication with the executive branch and government institutions.
14.Work has also been done in the legal sphere to recognize the rights of persons with disabilities.
15.Below is a list of the treaties, laws and protocols that Nicaragua has revised, established, recognized and implemented.
National level |
|
1 |
Constitution and reforms thereof |
2 |
Act No. 94 on benefits for Nicaraguan combatants and civilians injured in war |
3 |
Act No. 98 establishing safeguards for the rights and benefits of persons with war disabilities who are veterans of the People’s Sandinista Army and the forces of security and order of the State |
4 |
Act No. 119 on benefits for war victims |
5 |
Act No. 160 on additional benefits for retirees |
6 |
Act No. 175 establishing a reserve fund for the payment of ex gratia pensions |
7 |
Act No. 185 on the Labour Code |
8 |
Act No. 238 on the promotion, protection and defence of human rights in the context of AIDS |
9 |
Act No. 545 on debt forgiveness for persons with war disabilities who are veterans of the Nicaraguan army, officials of the Ministry of the Interior or former Nicaraguan resistance fighters, and who bank with the Housing Bank of Nicaragua under liquidation |
10 |
Act No. 613 on the protection and safety of persons engaged in diving activities |
11 |
Act No. 650 on the protection of the human rights of persons with mental illnesses |
12 |
Nicaraguan Mandatory Technical Regulation No. 12006-04 on accessibility |
13 |
Act No. 582 on education |
15 |
Act No. 675 on Nicaraguan Sign Language |
14 |
Act No. 763 on the rights of persons with disabilities, adopted on 13 April 2011; repeal of Act No. 202 on prevention, rehabilitation and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities |
15 |
Act No. 779 on violence against women |
International level |
|
United Nations |
|
1 |
Universal Declaration of Human Rights |
2 |
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights |
3 |
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights |
4 |
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination |
5 |
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women |
6 |
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment |
7 |
Convention on the Rights of the Child |
8 |
International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families |
9 |
Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities |
10 |
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol |
11 |
Geneva Conventions relating to the protection of victims of international armed conflicts |
12 |
Declaration on the Rights of Deaf-Blind Persons |
13 |
Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons |
14 |
Declaration on the Rights of Mentally Retarded Persons |
15 |
Resolution of the Permanent Council on persons with disabilities in the American Hemisphere of 3 June 1996 |
16 |
International policies on the health of persons with disabilities |
17 |
World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons |
Organization of American States |
|
1 |
American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man |
2 |
American Convention on Human Rights |
3 |
Inter-American Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities |
International Labour Organization |
|
1 |
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Convention, 1983 (No. 159) |
Other |
|
1 |
Managua Declaration on children and young persons with disabilities and their families, 3 December 1993 |
2 |
Beijing Declaration on the Rights of People with Disabilities in the New Century, adopted on 12 March 2000 at the Global Disability Summit |
III.National context
16.Disability in Nicaragua has multiple causes. Important factors in the increase in the number of persons with disabilities are old age, chronic degenerative diseases, communicable diseases, congenital defects, accidents, medical negligence, malnutrition, public disorder, anti-personnel mines, war and natural disasters. In addition to these issues, the problem of population growth, spread and migration makes addressing the matter of disability more complex. Machismo has a negative impact on the quality of life of women in general and women with disabilities in particular, who are exploited, abused and isolated.
17.Inclusive education, which is intended to open up possibilities and opportunities for persons with disabilities, is a major challenge in terms of ensuring that teachers in the education system are properly trained and that the entire educational community provides high quality and compassionate support for persons in this population group.
18.High unemployment rates are due to various factors, including a lack of training, the inaccessibility of workplaces, the lack of accessible transportation and the constant economic problems plaguing the country. Many of those who are “occupied” (i.e. employed) earn very little or receive no other form of remuneration.
19.High rates of open unemployment and illiteracy, globalization and the attitudes of certain businesspersons have become a serious obstacle to the enjoyment of the right to work. The situation is made worse by the discretion allowed in the discharge of obligations established under the Labour Code and other relevant laws.
20.Regarding health and social security, the State has been making considerable efforts to ensure rehabilitation services. However, interventions have centred on the biological-psychosocial model, which consists of professionals in the various fields assessing and defining the therapeutic steps to be taken.
21.Mobility is a two-pronged issue, determined by the physical limitations of the individual on the one hand and infrastructural limitations in the environment on the other. The fact is that most urban infrastructure in Nicaragua is not accessible, and is therefore a serious impediment to the full enjoyment of freedom of movement and access and the conduct of activities enabling persons with disabilities to lead a life of equal opportunity. Nicaraguan Mandatory Technical Regulation No. 12006-04, on accessibility, which is currently in force and is overseen by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, provides for the creation of an implementation committee comprising government institutions and independent bodies.
22.Public transportation and the national road network do not meet accessibility conditions for wheelchair users and persons with other disabilities or reduced mobility, nor is adapted or special transport available for these users, who are therefore forced to travel by other also inadequate means.
23.Concerning information and communication, the National Library does not have texts in Braille, and public documents are not transcribed into Braille. A small library affiliated with the Culture Institute has some materials in Braille, but its collection does not include official documents. No other types of text are published in alternative formats for blind persons.
24.The media are not available in accessible formats, and accommodations are not made for persons with disabilities, including persons with hearing and visual impairments. For example, there are no texts published in simplified language for persons with intellectual disabilities, and nationally televised news bulletins have not incorporated simultaneous sign language interpretation or close-up shots for persons with low vision into their regular programming.
25.A mechanism is in place that will enable persons with hearing or language impairments to communicate in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency. However, there is no similar mechanism that persons with disabilities might use should they fall victim to crime or abuse or find themselves in a situation where their safety is seriously at risk.
26.The justice system has put in place a sign language interpretation service and other means of communicating with victims of abuse or other violations, in coordination with the departmental level courts. However, these professionals are scarce and their availability thus limited, so organizations are having to train up staff of the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health and the National Technological Institute with a view to providing better support and interpretation services for deaf persons.
The “A Voice for All” Programme
27.In 2009–2010, the Government of Nicaragua, with support from the Government of Cuba, ran the “A Voice for All” (Todos con Voz) Programme, consisting of a psychosocial, pedagogical, clinical and genetic study of persons with disabilities at the national level.
28.The programme set out to:
Study the world of persons with disabilities and their biological and psychosocial specificities;
Determine possible causes;
Identify main needs and promote strategies for ensuring that critical problems are addressed.
Scope
29.The study entailed observing in their daily activities, for at least a year, any person affected by a permanent limitation of one or more of the following forms:
Motor
Hearing
Visual
Mental
Organ or intestinal (chronic kidney failure)
Multiple
Intellectual
IV.Progress on compliance with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Equality and non-discrimination
30.The State’s public institutions have espoused equality and non-discrimination as a fundamental principle.
Equality: Equal footing in the effective enjoyment of human, civil, political, economic, social, cultural rights by women and men without discrimination.
Equity: Fair treatment aimed at achieving effective equality through affirmative actions that recognize the specific conditions of each person or group derived from rights related to race, sex, religion, ethnic origin or any other factor that produces discriminatory effects on rights, benefits, obligations and opportunities for women and men.
Non-discrimination: Any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political sphere.
Progress over the period 2007–2013
31.In an effort to implement the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Nicaragua has been taking action to benefit this group, one of the principles of the revolutionary Government of President Daniel Ortega being to restore and realize the human rights of the population, especially its most vulnerable groups.
32.To this end, the State has established a legal framework recognizing these rights that consists of:
(a)The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol, signed and ratified without reservations;
(b)Act No. 675 on Nicaraguan Sign Language;
(c)The Divers Support Act;
(d)Act No. 522, the General Act on Sports, as amended to assign 3 per cent of the total earmarked budget to persons with disabilities, this benefit having now been available for two years;
(e)Act No. 650 on the protection of the rights of persons with mental illness, adopted by the National Assembly in 2008 with the aim of applying this vision of rights to persons with psychiatric disorders;
(f)Act No. 763 on the rights of persons with disabilities, which entered into force on 5 November 2011, repealing Act No. 202;
(g)Act No. 820 on the promotion, protection and defence of human rights in the context of AIDS, adopted in December 2012;
(h)Special Act No. 830 on support for former combatants to strengthen peace, unity and national reconciliation, adopted on 13 February 2013, which includes a complete chapter on the rights of persons with disabilities resulting from the war;
(i)Act No. 842 on the protection of the rights of consumers and service users, adopted in September 2013;
(j)Nicaraguan Mandatory Technical Regulation No. 12006-04 on accessibility, and reforms thereof (see annex 1: electronic folder of laws).
33.The member organizations of the Office of the Civil Branch of Government for Organizations of Persons with Disabilities were given the opportunity to state their requirements in relation to the following laws:
(a)The Family Code, section on the legal capacity of persons with disabilities;
(b)The Code of Civil Procedure;
(c)The Traffic Act.
Women with disabilities
34.It is a State policy of the Government of Reconciliation and National Unity to empower women through the introduction of social, economic, cultural and political programmes and projects in which they play a leading role. Mechanisms have been established to ensure respect for the role of women, including a 50 per cent quota in public sector jobs and employment, as well as in community organizations, trade unions and political parties. Efforts have been made to introduce the same quotas for persons with disabilities.
35.The Ministry of Women’s Affairs is promoting among government institutions and autonomous entities participatory lines of action on gender and a participatory gender policy that are to be taken into account in all programmes and projects being rolled out at the State level. These lines of action include:
Raising awareness among Nicaraguan women of civic duty, rights, participation and power in all areas of life;
Ensuring that women are aware of the Constitution and laws so that direct democracy and civil rights are fully exercised;
Promoting among women, in coordination with the relevant institutions and organizations, instruction in sexual and reproductive health, in political, economic, social and labour rights and in any technical, scientific, cultural and spiritual knowledge that contributes to their comprehensive education as human beings;
Fostering and raising the profile of women’s leadership in all areas of life;
Helping women leaders to achieve at least 50 per cent representation in State institutions and on the lists of political parties and social movements at the local and national levels;
Promoting and raising the profile of women’s active participation in elections, both as candidates and voters;
Supporting women candidates in their electoral campaigns through training and the design of women-oriented campaign, communication and outreach strategies;
Nurturing in women human values that encourage family and community reunification and coexistence in line with the principles of national reconciliation and unity;
Fostering among women a feeling of national identity and belonging to a diverse, multi-ethnic, plurilingual, unique, national, Latin American and Caribbean culture that must be revitalized and defended as the heritage of future generations;
Encouraging women to defend, preserve and restore the country’s natural resources, the environment and all its life forms;
Encouraging women to take ownership of a rights and human development model of cultural, social, political and economic affairs and world relations, in keeping with the principles and values of justice, sustainability, solidarity, peace and well-being for all persons without discrimination on account of age, race, religious belief, political affiliation or other characteristic;
Fostering in women a spirit of solidarity and engagement in efforts to eradicate poverty and all its appalling consequences from the society Nicaragua is seeking to transform.
36.To integrate persons with disabilities into the labour market, the Ministry of Labour has held career counselling workshops for 26 women with disabilities in order to teach them about basic job search techniques and labour rights and help them to find employment.
Children with disabilities
37.The comprehensive family and community support model used by the Ministry for the Family, Adolescents and Children extends beyond the individual to the family, fosters family and community coexistence based on love and the revival of humanistic values and promotes new child-rearing and family relations paradigms.
38.The goal is to help at-risk children and adolescents and/or those whose rights have been violated, pregnant adolescents, persons with disabilities, older persons and families in situations of social risk and vulnerability to achieve the 25 basic conditions for well-being through family support strategies, values education and the provision of integrated government services, in coordination with the institutions of the National Social Welfare System, namely the Alliance Office of the Civil Branch of Government, under the shared responsibility model, the Offices of the Civil Branch of Government for Family, Community and Life, and the “Promotoría Solidaria” programme at the community level.
“Promotoría Solidaria” programme
39.Under the umbrella of the “Promotoría Solidaria” programme, the Nicaraguan authorities has been training young people to become outreach workers who provide support for State institutions, especially the Ministry for Family, in their various activities for the benefit of children with disabilities.
40.The outreach workers also work in coordination with technical staff to provide families with training in the values of respect, solidarity and equality of all persons. Their goal is to nurture the right to recreation of children with disabilities by providing spaces where they can get together and play, thereby countering preconceived notions and stereotypes and showing that they can live happily in their families and communities.
Implementation of the community-based rehabilitation strategy
41.Nicaragua is implementing a community-based rehabilitation strategy, this being a methodology well suited for approaching disability in a holistic manner. Since 2008, it has been taking action to benefit children with disabilities or developmental delays, in terms of both detection and community-based assistance, such as training their mothers in how to guide their children’s education, within the framework of an inclusive development approach, using the Portage Guide to Early Education as the key tool. The Portage Guide is used to assess a child’s behaviour and to design a curriculum with realistic goals that leads to the acquisition of additional skills. The Guide also helps assess the behaviour a child is learning and suggests techniques for teaching different behaviour. The test measures five areas of child development, namely, socialization, language, self-help skills, cognition and motor skills (see annex 2: basic guide to the Portage methodology).
42.Efforts to provide systematic support are being made in 14 municipalities in central Nicaragua where a community-based rehabilitation network has been set up to provide assistance to children with disabilities and thus improve their social and educational inclusion.
43.These community-based networks have led to the identification of children with developmental delays or disabilities who were not registered under the national “A Voice for All” programme.
44.Another measure that has been very important in guiding parents is a simple booklet designed by the Ministries of Family, Health and Education called “Love for tiny tots” (Amor para los más chiquitos). It is used to prevent and detect certain disabilities and developmental delays at the community level through a holistic approach.
45.Various social service providers, such as health-care practitioners, education professionals, officials of the Ministry for Family, community educators and health outreach volunteers, have been trained to use the “Love for tiny tots” booklet.
46.This early education booklet has been rolled out in various departments across the country, the aim being to reinforce the role of families in child-rearing models by providing them with information on how to care and educate a child at home.
47.Each booklet explains the child development process, from birth to preschool age, and recommends age-appropriate activities with a view to stimulating development.
48.There is also an “A Voice for All” booklet, which provides all outreach workers with basic knowledge of disability types.
Right of children with disabilities to a name, a nationality and recreation
49.Another very important step in the restoration of children’s rights in Nicaragua was the recognition of the right of children with disabilities to a name and a nationality. Municipal administrative fees have been waived so that children with disabilities can be duly registered in the civil registry by a notary public and be issued with a birth certificate. This programme was launched in 2008 for an indefinite period to benefit Nicaraguan children.
50.The restitution of the right to recreation is evident in the design and implementation of initiatives contributing to coexistence and socialization that are run at the Happy Childhood fair, which takes place from November to January each year. In addition, long-term actions and activities are being undertaken with professional associations and organizations that serve children with disabilities.
51.It is worth noting that, for more than seven years, Nicaragua has kept a register of congenital malformations at the La Mascota hospital as part of the State’s ongoing efforts to prevent disabilities among children.
Awareness-raising
52.Nicaragua has made extraordinary strides in raising awareness among public servants and society as a whole. As a result, it has been able to adopt key measures, including budgetary measures, to implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the national level. For example:
(a)The Government is sensitive to the issues and the need to recognize rights and, accordingly, has ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol without reservations;
(b)Significant progress has been made in amending the legal framework to bring it into line with the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;
(c)The State has held awareness-raising sessions for the teachers and administrative staff of independent institutions and for ministry officials at which information was provided on the principles of promoting the full exercise of the rights of persons with disabilities recognized under the Convention. It has also been running a sustained enrolment campaign entitled “Enrol Now” (Matricula Ya) so that persons with disabilities can access inclusive education in schools, institutions and universities.
Accessibility
53.Under the legislation currently in force, the Government of Nicaragua has set up an inter-agency commission of experts to coordinate actions on behalf of persons with disabilities, as required to comply with the Nicaraguan Mandatory Technical Regulation on accessibility. The commission is coordinated by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and provides expert support for its secretariat. It has powers to invite member agencies to explain agreements and commitments.
54.Training sessions have been held to raise awareness of the national implementation of Nicaraguan Mandatory Technical Regulation No. 12006-04 on accessibility and the amendments thereto. The Regulation was drafted by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and approved in Official Gazette No. 253 of 29 December 2004.
55.Training sessions in the departments of Granada, Masaya, Matagalpa, Chinandega and Estelí were attended by 408 technical and professional staff members from municipal urban planning and land registry offices, as well as technical staff from the Nicaraguan Institute for Municipal Development and the Association of Municipalities of Nicaragua.
56.In coordination with organizations of persons with disabilities, the Nicaraguan Mandatory Technical Regulation on accessibility has been disseminated to technical staff and officials working in infrastructure-related areas of the following ministries: the Ministry of Education, the National Institute of Technology, the Ministry of Health, the Nicaraguan Sports Institute and the Nicaraguan Institute for Municipal Development. The ministries are now implementing the Regulation and a total of 140 technicians have received related training.
57.Through the National Council of Universities, a series of talks has been organized for 90 engineering and architecture students to ensure that during their studies they are made aware of the Technical Regulation on accessibility and can implement it once they begin working, whether for a public body or a private entity.
58.Another important initiative of the Nicaraguan authorities is the performance of technical inspections to assess compliance with and implementation of the Technical Regulation on accessibility in public and private buildings. The Accessibility Committee was set up to carry out this task. The Committee, which is coordinated by the Ministry for Transport and Infrastructure and includes representatives of organizations of persons with disabilities, selects existing and new buildings to inspect, analyses the findings and submits observations to a representative of the institution concerned so that corrective action can be taken.
59.The following buildings have been inspected:
Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure
Supreme Electoral Council: Central Office for Civil Registration and Identity Cards
Ministry of Labour
Central offices of the National Institute of Technology
Supreme Court of Justice: Property Registry
Government Services Office, Nicaraguan Social Security Institute, José Benito Escobar branch
Ministry of Education
Ministry of Health, Concepción Palacio site
Banco de América Central, head office
Banco de la Producción, head office
CITIBANK Nicaragua, head office
Casimiro Sotelo Transport Terminal, Roberto Huembés Market
Israel Lewites Transport Terminal, Israel Lewites Market
Rigoberto Cabezas Transport Terminal, Wholesale Market
Hispamer Cultural and Tourist Centre, new building
New National Judicial Centre
60.Schools, Secondary Schools and Vocational Training Centres:
National Academy of Languages, National Institute of Technology
Carlos Manuel Vanegas Olivas Agriculture and Livestock Technical College, Department of Chinandega
José Dolores Estrada Agriculture and Livestock Technical Institute, department of Granada, municipality of Nandaime
Santiago Baldovino Agriculture and Livestock Technical College, department of Matagalpa, municipality of Muy
Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region Agriculture and Livestock Technical College, municipality of Nueva Guinea
Agriculture and Livestock Technical Institute, department of Chontales, municipality of Juigalpa
National Administration and Economics Institute, department of Chinandega, municipality of Chichigalpa
National Forestry Institute, department of Estelí, municipality of Estelí
National Administration and Economics Institute, department of Estelí, municipality of Estelí
German-Nicaraguan Vocational Training Centre, department of Managua, municipality of Managua
Simón Bolívar Vocational Training Centre, department of Managua, municipality of Managua
National Administration and Economics Institute, department of Magua, municipality of Managua
Polytechnic Institute, department of Boaco, Boaco municipality
José Martí Techer Training College, municipality of Matagalpa, department of Matagalpa
Augusto C. Sandino Public School, municipality of Ciudad Sandino, department of Managua
Ernesto Che Guevara Public School, municipality of Villa El Carmen, department of Managua
Divino Niño School, municipality of La Libertad, department of Chontales
El Tuma School, municipality of La Dalia, department of Matagalpa
Hugo Chávez School, Clementina Cabezas School, Hispanidad School and Cristo Rey School, municipality of Managua, department of Managua
14 de Septiembre School, municipality of San Carlos, department of Río San Juan
Solomon de la Selva Institute, municipality of León, department of León
Josefa Toledo National Institute, municipality of Juigalpa, department of Chontales
Eliseo Picado National Institute, municipality of Matagalpa, department of Matagalpa
Héroes y Mártires de La Reforma National Institute, municipality of Masaya, department of Masaya
Maestro Gabriel Institute and Ramírez Goyena Institute, municipality of Managua, department of Managua.
Hospitals and Health Centres
No. |
2007– 2 012: Sandinista National Liberation Front – Government of Reconciliation and National Unity |
Type of facility |
Department |
Type of work undertaken |
Public Investment Programme 2007–2012 |
||||
1 |
Expansion and repair of the Muelle de los Bueyes Health Centre |
Health centre |
Chontales |
Renovation |
2 |
Construction of a children’s unit at the German-Nicaraguan Hospital, Managua |
Hospital |
Managua |
Renovation |
3 |
Renovation of the Julio Duran Health Centre, Chichigalpa, Chinandega |
Health centre |
Chinandega |
Renovation |
4 |
Construction of the La Primavera Health Post, Managua |
Health post |
Managua |
New construction |
5 |
Construction of the José Niebrowsky Hospital, Boaco |
Hospital |
Boaco |
Replacement building |
6 |
Construction of the Camilo Ortega Health Post, Managua |
Health post |
Managua |
New construction |
7 |
Construction of the Laureles Sur Health Post, Managua |
Health post |
Managua |
New construction |
8 |
Construction of the San Rafael del Norte Health Centre, Jinotega |
Health Centre |
Jinotega |
New construction |
9 |
Construction of the Muelle de los Bueyes Primary Hospital, Chontales |
Primary hospital |
Chontales |
New construction |
10 |
Construction of the head office of the comprehensive local health-care system, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Other |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
New construction |
11 |
Las Breñas Health Post, Rosita, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
New construction |
12 |
Construction of the Fruta de Pan Health Post, Rosita, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
New construction |
13 |
Replacement of the Klisnak Health Post, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Replacement building |
14 |
Replacement of the Wisconsin Health Post, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Replacement building |
15 |
Construction of Kukra Hill Maternity Centre, Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region |
Maternity centre |
Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region |
New construction |
16 |
Construction of a gynaecology and obstetrics unit at the German-Nicaraguan Hospital, Managua |
Hospital |
Managua |
Renovation |
17 |
Construction of an intensive care unit at the German-Nicaraguan Hospital, Managua |
Hospital |
Managua |
Renovation |
18 |
Construction of the Tipitapa Primary Hospital, Managua |
Primary hospital |
Managua |
Replacement building |
19 |
Construction of the San Rafael del Sur Health Centre, Managua |
Health centre |
Managua |
New construction |
20 |
Construction of the Jorge Dimitrov Health Post, Managua |
Health post |
Managua |
New construction |
21 |
Construction of the Santa María de los Ángeles Health Post, Managua |
Health post |
Managua |
New construction |
22 |
Construction of the El Sauce Primary Hospital |
Primary hospital |
León |
New construction |
23 |
Construction of the San Juan de Río Coco Primary Hospital, Madriz |
Primary hospital |
Madriz |
New construction |
24 |
Renovation and expansion of the La Cruz de Río Grande Health Centre, Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region |
Health centre |
Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
25 |
Construction of the El Triunfo Health Post, El Almendro |
Health post |
Rio San Juan |
New construction |
26 |
Physiotherapy unit at the Juan Antonio Brenes Hospital, Somoto, Madriz |
Hospital |
Madriz |
Renovation |
27 |
Héroes y Mártires de San José de la Mulas Primary Hospital, La Dalia, Matagalpa |
Primary hospital |
Matagalpa |
New construction |
28 |
Construction of the Prinzu Pawanka Primary Hospital, Prinzapolka, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Primary hospital |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
New construction |
29 |
Carlos Fonseca Primary Hospital, Mulukuku, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Primary hospital |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
New construction |
30 |
Hospital wards, España Hospital, Chinandega |
Hospital |
Chinandega |
Renovation |
31 |
Renovation of the Somotillo Primary Hospital, Chinandega |
Primary hospital |
Chinandega |
Renovation |
32 |
Renovation of the Murra Health Centre, Nueva Segovia |
Health Centre |
Nueva Segovia |
Renovation |
33 |
La Esperanza Health Centre, El Rama, Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region |
Health centre |
Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
34 |
Renovation of the José Dolores Estrada Health Centre, Managua |
Health centre |
Managua |
Renovation |
35 |
Renovation of the Amak Bocay Health Centre, Jinotega |
Health centre |
Jinotega |
Renovation |
36 |
Expansion of the Corn Island Health Centre, Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region |
Health centre |
Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
37 |
Remodelling of the operating theatres at the Luís Felipe Moncada Hospital, Río San Juan |
Hospital |
Río San Juan |
Renovation |
38 |
Renovation and expansion of the Sabana Grande Health Post, Managua |
Health post |
Managua |
Renovation |
39 |
Renovation of the Chichigalpa Health Centre, Chinandega |
Health centre |
Chinandega |
Renovation |
40 |
Renovation of the Hermanos Martínez Health Post, Somoto, Madriz |
Health post |
Madriz |
Renovation |
41 |
Renovation of the Terrabona Health Centre, Matagalpa |
Health centre |
Matagalpa |
Renovation |
42 |
Renovation of the San Francisco de Asís de Camoapa Primary Hospital, Boaco |
Primary hospital |
Boaco |
Renovation |
43 |
Renovation of the critical care facilities at the Asunción Hospital in Juigalpa, Chontales |
Hospital |
Chontales |
Renovation |
44 |
Expansion and remodelling of the Puerto Cabezas Polyclinic, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health centre |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
45 |
Renovation of the Rosita Primary Hospital, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Primary hospital |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
46 |
Rehabilitation of the emergency unit of the Ernesto Sequeira Bluefields Hospital, Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region |
Hospital |
Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
47 |
Renovation of the National Diagnostics and Referral Centre, Managua |
Other |
Managua |
Renovation |
48 |
Renovation and expansion of the Carlos Rugama Health Centre, Managua |
Health centre |
Managua |
Renovation |
49 |
Renovation of seven operating theatres at the Oscar Danilo Rosales Hospital, León |
Hospital |
León |
Renovation |
50 |
Renovation of the emergency unit at the La Trinidad Hospital, Estelí |
Hospital |
Estelí |
Renovation |
51 |
Renovation of the critical care facilities (three operating theatres, emergency unit and intensive care unit) at the San Juan de Dios Hospital, Estelí |
Hospital |
Estelí |
Renovation |
52 |
Renovation of the Condega Health Centre, Estelí |
Health centre |
Estelí |
Renovation |
53 |
Renovation of the San Andrés Health Post, Wiwili, Jinotega |
Health centre |
Jinotega |
Renovation |
54 |
Renovation and expansion of the Raití Health Post, Waspan, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
55 |
Construction of the Laguna de Perlas Maternity Centre, Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region |
Maternity centre |
Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region |
New construction |
56 |
Renovation of the emergency unit at the Santiago de Jinotepe Hospital |
Hospital |
Carazo |
Renovation |
57 |
Renovation of the intensive care unit at the Bertha Calderón Hospital, Managua |
Hospital |
Managua |
Renovation |
58 |
Renovation of infrastructure at the National Ophthalmology Centre, Managua |
Hospital |
Managua |
Renovation |
59 |
Renovations to ceilings in the operating block at the Luis Felipe Moncada Hospital, San Carlos |
Hospital |
Rio San Juan |
Renovation |
60 |
Remodelling and refitting of the women’s wards and operating theatres at the Asunción Regional Hospital, Juigalpa, Chontales |
Hospital |
Chontales |
Renovation |
61 |
Renovation of the Raiti Maternity Centre |
Maternity centre |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
62 |
Replacement of the Lapan Health Post |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Replacement building |
63 |
Expansion of the El Sauce Primary Hospital |
Primary hospital |
León |
Renovation |
64 |
Replacement of the Leonel Rugama Family Health Centre in Estelí (Stages I and II) |
Health centre |
Estelí |
Replacement building |
65 |
Renovation of three operating theatres at the Manuel de Jesús Rivera Hospital, La Mascota |
Hospital |
Managua |
Renovation |
66 |
Construction of the Nejapa Health Post |
Health post |
Managua |
New construction |
67 |
Construction of a perimeter wall at the Humberto Alvarado Hospital, Masaya |
Hospital |
Masaya |
Renovation |
68 |
Construction of the Cárdenas Maternity Centre, Rivas |
Maternity centre |
Rivas |
New construction |
69 |
Renovation of the emergency unit and clinical laboratory and construction of an outpatient unit of the Luis Felipe Moncada Hospital in San Carlos |
Hospital |
Rio San Juan |
Renovation |
70 |
Construction of a maternity centre in the Community of El Naranjo, Waslala |
Maternity centre |
Matagalpa |
New construction |
71 |
Replacement of the maternity centre in Puerto Cabezas, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Maternity centre |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Replacement building |
72 |
Construction of the maternity centre in Yalí, Jinotega |
Maternity centre |
Jinotega |
New construction |
73 |
Construction of the Santa Teresa Health Centre, Carazo |
Health centre |
Carazo |
Replacement building |
74 |
Construction of the health centre in the municipality of La Libertad, Chontales |
Health centre |
Chontales |
Replacement building |
75 |
Replacement of the health centre in the municipality of San Carlos, Rio San Juan |
Health centre |
Rio San Juan |
Replacement building |
76 |
Construction of the Chichigalpa Primary Hospital |
Primary hospital |
Chinandega |
New construction |
77 |
Replacement of Biltignia Community Health Post No. 1, Bonanza, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region (Emergency Social Investment Fund) |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Replacement building |
78 |
Ciudad Sandino Ophthalmology Centre, Managua |
Health centre |
Managua |
New construction |
79 |
Villa Soberana Health Post, Ciudad Sandino, Managua |
Health post |
Managua |
New construction |
80 |
Antenor Sandino Health Post, León, Perla María, 2007 |
Health post |
León |
New construction |
81 |
San Miguelito Health Post, Larreynaga-Mina Limón, 2008 |
Health post |
León |
New construction |
82 |
La Concha Health Post, Villanueva, Chinandega |
Health post |
Chinandega |
New construction |
83 |
Centre for Adolescent Health, Sto Tomás del Norte, Chinandega |
Other |
Chinandega |
New construction |
84 |
Jinotepe Health Centre, Carazo |
Health centre |
Carazo |
New construction |
85 |
Buena Vista Health Post, La Conquista, Carazo |
Health post |
Carazo |
New construction |
86 |
Muy Muy Maternity Centre, Matagalpa |
Maternity centre |
Matagalpa |
New construction |
87 |
Bluefields Ophthalmology Centre, Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region |
Health centre |
Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region |
New construction |
88 |
Walpa Karawala Health Post, Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region |
New construction |
89 |
La Barra Karawala Health Post, Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region |
New construction |
90 |
Guadalupe Karawala Health Post, Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region, 2007 |
Health post |
Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region |
New construction |
91 |
Kara Karawala Health Post, Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region, 2007 |
Health post |
Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region |
New construction |
92 |
Hugo Chávez Health Post, Managua |
Health post |
Managua |
New construction |
93 |
Agua Fria el Pilon-El Sauce Health Post, 2008 |
Health post |
León |
New construction |
94 |
Clinic for patients with chronic kidney failure, El Viejo Sur, Chinandega |
Other |
Chinandega |
New construction |
95 |
Yalagûina Health Centre, Madriz |
Health centre |
Madriz |
New construction |
96 |
San José de Cusmapa Maternity Centre, Madriz |
Maternity centre |
Madriz |
New construction |
97 |
Construction of the San Juan de Awaswa Health Post (2008) |
Health post |
Jinotega |
New construction |
98 |
Bilwi Ophthalmology Centre, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health centre |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
New construction |
99 |
Replacement of the Klingna Health Post, Puerto Cabezas, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Replacement building |
100 |
Replacement of the Awas Yari Health Post, Puerto Cabezas, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Replacement building |
101 |
Replacement of the Rahwawatla Health Post, Puerto Cabezas, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Replacement building |
102 |
Replacement of the Regional Nursing School, Puerto Cabezas, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Other |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
New construction |
103 |
Replacement of the Dakra Health Post, Puerto Cabezas, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Replacement building |
104 |
Replacement of the Kambla Health Post, Puerto Cabezas, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Replacement building |
105 |
Replacement of the San Pablo Health Post, Puerto Cabezas Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Replacement building |
106 |
Replacement of the Sangnilaya Health Post, Puerto Cabezas, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Replacement building |
107 |
Replacement of the Sukatpin Health Post, Puerto Cabezas, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Replacement building |
108 |
Replacement of the Betania Health Post, Puerto Cabezas, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Replacement building |
109 |
Replacement of the Sumubila Health Post, Puerto Cabezas, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Replacement building |
110 |
Construction of an outpatient clinic and medical supplies warehouse in Waspam, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health centre |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
111 |
Replacement of the Kuahkwil Health Post, Puerto Cabezas, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Replacement building |
112 |
Labour and delivery units, Bertha Calderón Hospital, Managua |
Hospital |
Managua |
Renovation |
113 |
La Chureca Health Post, Managua |
Health post |
Managua |
New construction |
114 |
Pagronica Health Post, El Jicaral, 2009 |
Health post |
León |
New construction |
115 |
Adolescent Health Unit, Corinto Hospital, Chinandega |
Hospital |
Chinandega |
Renovation |
116 |
La Grecia Health Post, Chinandega |
Health post |
Chinandega |
New construction |
117 |
Belén Health Post, Chinandega |
Health post |
Chinandega |
New construction |
118 |
Los Laureles Health Posts, El Viejo Norte, Chinandega |
Health post |
Chinandega |
New construction |
119 |
Auditorium and three cubicles, El Viejo Sur, Chinandega |
Health centre |
Chinandega |
Renovation |
120 |
Auditorium at the Monimbó Health Centre, Masaya |
Health centre |
Masaya |
Renovation |
121 |
Enrique Cisne Health Centre, Nindirí, Masaya |
Health centre |
Masaya |
New construction |
122 |
La Montañita Health Post, Tisma, Masaya |
Health post |
Masaya |
New construction |
123 |
Mother and baby unit, Jinotepe Maternity Hospital, Carazo (2009) |
Hospital |
Carazo |
Renovation |
124 |
Construction of the San Jorge Health Centre, Rivas |
Health centre |
Rivas |
New construction |
125 |
Construction of the Pica Pica Health Post, Potosí, Rivas |
Health post |
Rivas |
New construction |
126 |
Construction of the Physiotherapy Unit at the Dr. Alfonso Moncada Guillén Hospital |
Hospital |
Nueva Segovia |
Renovation |
127 |
Sébaco Maternity Centre, Matagalpa |
Maternity centre |
Matagalpa |
New construction |
128 |
Construction of the Plan de Grama Maternity Centre, Wiwilí |
Maternity centre |
Jinotega |
New construction |
129 |
Construction of patient accommodation, El Cuá, Jinotega |
Accommodation |
Jinotega |
New construction |
130 |
Construction of patient accommodation, Bocay, Jinotega |
Accommodation |
Jinotega |
New construction |
131 |
Construction of labour and delivery unit, Neonatal Hospital, Nuevo Amanecer, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Hospital |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
132 |
Replacement of the Nueva Jerusalén Health Post, Puerto Cabezas, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Replacement building |
133 |
Construction of maternity centre, Rosita, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Maternity centre |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
New construction |
134 |
La Cruz de Río Grande Maternity Centre, Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region |
Maternity centre |
Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region |
New construction |
135 |
Solidaridad Hospital, Managua |
Hospital |
Managua |
New construction |
136 |
Las Torres Health Post, Managua |
Health post |
Managua |
New construction |
137 |
Somotillo Maternity Centre, Chinandega |
Maternity centre |
Chinandega |
New construction |
138 |
San Remigio Health Post, El Viejo Norte, Chinandega |
Health post |
Chinandega |
New construction |
139 |
Alejandro Calero Health Centre, Masaya |
Health centre |
Masaya |
New construction |
140 |
Silvio González Health Post, Diriamba, Carazo |
Health post |
Carazo |
New construction |
141 |
Diriamba Health Centre, Carazo |
Health centre |
Carazo |
New construction |
142 |
Belén Health Centre, Rivas (2010) |
Health centre |
Rivas |
New construction |
143 |
Expansion of wards for patients with health insurance, Ocotal branch, Nueva Segovia |
Hospital |
Nueva Segovia |
Renovation |
144 |
Construction of the El Jícarito Health Post, Macuelizo, Nueva Segovia |
Health post |
Nueva Segovia |
New construction |
145 |
Matagalpa Ophthalmology Centre |
Health centre |
Matagalpa |
New construction |
146 |
Villa Sikia Health Post, Paiwas, Matagalpa (2010) |
Health post |
Matagalpa |
New construction |
147 |
Kuwali Maternity Centre, Matagalpa |
Maternity centre |
Matagalpa |
New construction |
148 |
San Isidro Maternity Centre, Matagalpa |
Maternity centre |
Matagalpa |
New construction |
149 |
Cocal Health Post, Puerto Cabezas, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
New construction |
150 |
Barrio Los Angeles Health Post, Puerto Cabezas, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
New construction |
151 |
El Corozo Health Post |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
New construction |
152 |
Silibila Health Post, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
New construction |
153 |
Annex to the Women’s Unit, Ernesto Sequeira Hospital, Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region |
Hospital |
Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
154 |
Annex to the Neonatology Unit, Ernesto Sequeira Hospital, Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region, 2010 |
Hospital |
Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
155 |
Detoxification Unit, Hospital Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region, 2010 |
Hospital |
Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
156 |
Annex to the Kukra River Health Centre, Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region, 2010 |
Health centre |
Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
157 |
Accommodation for relatives of patients, Roberto Calderón Hospital |
Accommodation |
Managua |
New construction |
158 |
Construction of the Haematology-Oncology Unit, Phase II, Roberto Calderón Hospital |
Hospital |
Managua |
Renovation |
159 |
Iraní Polyclinic, Managua District VII, Managua |
Health centre |
Managua |
New construction |
160 |
Lidia Saavedra Polyclinic for Older Persons, Managua |
Health centre |
Managua |
New construction |
161 |
Las Pozas Health Post, Cinco Pinos, Chinandega |
Health post |
Chinandega |
New construction |
162 |
Cinco Pinos Maternity Centre, Chinandega |
Maternity centre |
Chinandega |
New construction |
163 |
Health Documentation Centre, Corinto Hospital, Chinandega |
Hospital |
Chinandega |
Renovation |
164 |
Sto. Tomas del Norte Maternity Centre, Chinandega |
Maternity Centre |
Chinandega |
New construction |
165 |
Consultation and waiting rooms, Masatepe Health Centre, Masaya |
Health centre |
Masaya |
Renovation |
166 |
Telpaneca Maternity Centre, Madriz |
Maternity centre |
Madriz |
New construction |
167 |
Construction and fitting out of premises of the National Endoscopy Service, Managua |
Health centre |
Managua |
Renovation |
168 |
Carlos Fonseca Rehabilitation Centre for the Blind, Managua |
Other |
Managua |
New construction |
169 |
Construction of the El Castillo Health Post, Río San Juan |
Health post |
Rio San Juan |
New construction |
170 |
Construction of the Dipilto Maternity Centre, Nueva Segovia |
Maternity centre |
Nueva Segovia |
New construction |
171 |
Construction of a health post in the community of Mezas de Alcayan, Nueva Segovia |
Health post |
Nueva Segovia |
New construction |
172 |
Construction of a mother and child ward at the Victoria Motta Hospital, Jinotega |
Hospital |
Jinotega |
Renovation |
173 |
Construction of the Ayapal Maternity Centre |
Maternity centre |
Jinotega |
New construction |
174 |
High-Risk Pregnancy Unit, César Amador Molina Hospital, Matagalpa |
Hospital |
Matagalpa |
Renovation |
175 |
Héroes y Mártires Maternity Centre, Matagalpa |
Other |
Matagalpa |
New construction |
176 |
Remodelling of the Outpatient Clinic at the German-Nicaraguan Hospital, Managua |
Hospital |
Managua |
Renovation |
177 |
Remodelling of the Emergency Unit at the German-Nicaraguan Hospital, Managua |
Hospital |
Managua |
Renovation |
178 |
Construction of accommodation, Bertha Calderón Hospital |
Accommodation |
Managua |
Renovation |
179 |
La Providencia Health Post, León, Sutiaba, (2007) |
Health post |
León |
Renovation |
180 |
Sabana Grande Health Post, El Sauce, (2007) |
Health post |
León |
Renovation |
181 |
Licoroy Health Post |
Health post |
Estelí |
Renovation |
182 |
Construction of the Dialysis Unit, Estelí Hospital |
Hospital |
Estelí |
Renovation |
183 |
Trinidad Guevara Polyclinic, Matagalpa |
Health centre |
Matagalpa |
Renovation |
184 |
Lacayo Farfán Health Post, Matagalpa |
Health post |
Matagalpa |
Renovation |
185 |
Salinas Grandes Health Post, León, Perla María, 2008 |
Health post |
León |
Renovation |
186 |
Remodelling of the operating theatre, España Hospital, Chinandega, Ministry of Health |
Hospital |
Chinandega |
Renovation |
187 |
Expansion of the Birth Unit, Moyogalpa Hospital, Rivas |
Hospital |
Rivas |
Renovation |
188 |
Remodelling of the Maternity Centre, Altagracia, Rivas |
Maternity centre |
Rivas |
Renovation |
189 |
El Palmar Health Post, Estelí |
Health post |
Estelí |
Renovation |
190 |
Guanacastón Health Post, Estelí |
Health post |
Estelí |
Renovation |
191 |
Renovation of the Llano Largo Health Post, Estelí |
Health post |
Estelí |
Renovation |
192 |
Opening of an orthotics and prosthetics workshop at the La Trinidad Hospital, Estelí |
Hospital |
Estelí |
Renovation |
193 |
Construction of maternity accommodation, Estelí Hospital |
Accommodation |
Estelí |
Renovation |
194 |
Expansion of the laboratory at the La Trinidad Health Centre, Estelí |
Health centre |
Estelí |
Renovation |
195 |
Solingalpa Health Post, Matagalpa |
Health post |
Matagalpa |
Renovation |
196 |
Quebrada Honda Health Post, Matagalpa |
Health post |
Matagalpa |
Renovation |
197 |
Renovation of the Cuá Health Centre, Jinotega |
Health centre |
Jinotega |
Renovation |
198 |
Muelle de los Bueyes Health Centre, Chontales |
Health centre |
Chontales |
Renovation |
199 |
Repairs to the health post in Lapan, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
200 |
Repairs to the health post in Sahsa, Puerto Cabezas, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
201 |
Repairs to the Yulu Health Post, Puerto Cabezas, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
202 |
Repairs to the Sisin Health Post, Puerto Cabezas, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
203 |
Repairs to the Ninayari Health Post, Puerto Cabezas, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
204 |
Repairs to the Francia Sirpi Health Post, Puerto Cabezas, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
205 |
Repairs to the Tuara Health Post, Puerto Cabezas, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
206 |
Repairs to the Auyaphini Health Post, Puerto Cabezas, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
207 |
Repairs to the Krukira Health Post, Puerto Cabezas, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
208 |
Repairs to the Tuapi Health Post, Puerto Cabezas, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
209 |
Repairs to the Lidaukra Health Post, Puerto Cabezas, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
210 |
Repairs to the Maniwatla Health Post, Puerto Cabezas, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
211 |
Repairs to the Kahka Health Post, Puerto Cabezas, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
212 |
Replacement of the Pahara Health Post, Puerto Cabezas, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
213 |
Repairs to the Awas Tara Health Post, Puerto Cabezas, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
214 |
Repairs to the Dakban Health Post, Puerto Cabezas, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
215 |
Renovation of physicians’ accommodation, Waspam, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Staff accommodation |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
216 |
Remodelling of critical care facilities, Waspam Hospital, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Hospital |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
217 |
Installation of an incinerator at the Luis Felipe Moncada Hospital, Río San Juan |
Hospital |
Rio San Juan |
Renovation |
218 |
Renovation of the Yalagûina Maternity Centre, Madriz |
Maternity centre |
Madriz |
Renovation |
219 |
Rest areas for physicians, German-Nicaraguan Hospital, Managua |
Hospital |
Managua |
Renovation |
220 |
Jicarito Health Post, Telica, 2009 |
Health post |
León |
Renovation |
221 |
Unión España Health Post, 2009 |
Health post |
León |
Renovation |
222 |
Federico Hosanam Health Post, Larreynaga, 2009 |
Health post |
León |
Renovation |
223 |
Santa Pancha Health Post, Larreynaga, Mina Limón, 2009 |
Health post |
León |
Renovation |
224 |
MINVAH Health Post, Larreynaga, Mina Limón, 2009 |
Health post |
León |
Renovation |
225 |
Sector 4 Isla del Amor Health Post, Corinto, Chinandega |
Health post |
Chinandega |
Renovation |
226 |
Sector 1B Health Post, Corinto, Chinandega |
Health post |
Chinandega |
Renovation |
227 |
Sector 6 Health Post, Corinto, Chinandega |
Health post |
Chinandega |
Renovation |
228 |
Augusto Cesar Sandino Health Post, Chinandega |
Health post |
Chinandega |
Renovation |
229 |
Roberto Cortez Health Centre, Chinandega |
Health centre |
Chinandega |
Renovation |
230 |
Remodelling of the emergency and mother and baby units, El Viejo Sur, Chinandega |
Hospital |
Chinandega |
Renovation |
231 |
Ramón Antonio López Health Post, El Realejo, Chinandega |
Health post |
Chinandega |
Renovation |
232 |
Edwin Chamorro Health Centre, Buenos Aires, Rivas |
Health post |
Rivas |
Renovation |
233 |
Tomabú Health Post (renovation), Estelí |
Health post |
Estelí |
Renovation |
234 |
Las Gavetas Health Post (renovation), Estelí |
Health post |
Estelí |
Renovation |
235 |
Installation of air conditioning in the pharmacy, X-ray suite and laboratory, Gynaecology Hospital, Estelí, 2009 |
Hospital |
Estelí |
Renovation |
236 |
Renovation of the San Nicolás Maternity Centre, Estelí |
Maternity centre |
Estelí |
Renovation |
237 |
Renovation of the Camoapa Maternity Centre, Boaco |
Maternity centre |
Boaco |
Renovation |
238 |
Repairs to the Puerto Cabezas Maternity Centre, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Maternity centre |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
239 |
Renovation of the San Carlos Health Post, Waspam, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
240 |
Renovation of the Asang Health Post, Waspam, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
241 |
Renovation of the Krin Krin Health Post, Waspam, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
242 |
Renovation of the Andris Health Post, Waspam, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
243 |
Renovation of the Andris Tara Health Post, Waspam, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
244 |
Renovation of the Koom Health Post, Waspam, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
245 |
Renovation of the Bismona Health Post, Waspam, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
246 |
Renovation of the Bilwaskarma Health Post, Waspam, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
247 |
Renovation of the Lajon Health Post, Bonanza, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
248 |
Renovation of the Kukalaya Health Post, Bonanza, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
249 |
Renovation of the Aguas Claras Health Post, Bonanza, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
250 |
Remodelling of the Beholdeen Health Post, Bluefields, Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
251 |
Remodelling of the Pathology Department, German-Nicaraguan Hospital, Managua |
Hospital |
Managua |
Renovation |
252 |
Quezalguaque Health Centre (2010) |
Health centre |
León |
Renovation |
253 |
Pancasan Health Post, La Paz Centro (2010) |
Health post |
León |
Renovation |
254 |
Remodelling of the Emergency Unit, España Hospital, Chinandega, Ministry of Health |
Hospital |
Chinandega |
Renovation |
255 |
Respiratory Unit, Paediatrics, Children’s Hospital, Chinandega |
Hospital |
Chinandega |
Renovation |
256 |
Remodelling of the Gastroenterology Unit, Paediatrics, Children’s Hospital, Chinandega |
Hospital |
Chinandega |
Renovation |
257 |
Installation of washrooms and air conditioning, surgical unit, Paediatrics, Chinandega |
Hospital |
Chinandega |
Renovation |
258 |
Remodelling of the Diagnostic Ultrasound Unit, Children’s Hospital, Chinandega |
Hospital |
Chinandega |
Renovation |
259 |
Adolescent Health Unit, Children’s Hospital, Chinandega |
Hospital |
Chinandega |
Renovation |
260 |
Renovation of the Special Care Unit, Children’s Hospital, Chinandega |
Hospital |
Chinandega |
Renovation |
261 |
Renovation of the X-ray Unit, Children’s Hospital, Chinandega |
Hospital |
Chinandega |
Renovation |
262 |
Renovation of the Epidemiological Monitoring Office on the premises of the comprehensive local health-care system, Chinandega |
Other |
Chinandega |
Renovation |
263 |
Renovation of the surgical and emergency units, Somotillo Primary Hospital, Chinandega |
Hospital |
Chinandega |
Renovation |
264 |
El Guasaule Health Post, Somotillo, Chinandega |
Health post |
Chinandega |
Renovation |
265 |
Renovation of the kitchens |
Hospital |
Chinandega |
Renovation |
266 |
Remodelling of the mother and child unit, Corinto Hospital, Chinandega |
Hospital |
Chinandega |
Renovation |
267 |
Renovation of three consulting rooms, El Viejo Sur, Chinandega |
Health centre |
Chinandega |
Renovation |
268 |
Renovation of consulting and storage rooms, unit for vector-borne and rodent-borne diseases, El Viejo Sur, Chinandega |
Health centre |
Chinandega |
Renovation |
269 |
Renovation of the Héroes y Mártires Maternity Clinic, Masaya |
Other |
Masaya |
Renovation |
270 |
Remodelling of the HIV testing unit, research and study centre, Granada |
Hospital |
Granada |
Renovation |
271 |
Renovation of the Delivery Unit, Postnatal Unit, San Nicolás Health Centre, Estelí, 2010 R |
Health centre |
Estelí |
Renovation |
272 |
Roof of the Leónidas García Health Centre, Ciudad Antigua, Nueva Segovia |
Health centre |
Nueva Segovia |
Renovation |
273 |
Repairs to the Las Brisas Health Post, Santa María, Nueva Segovia |
Health post |
Nueva Segovia |
Renovation |
274 |
Muelle Health Post, Puerto Cabezas, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region, 2010 |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
275 |
Expansion of the Laguna de Perlas Health Centre, Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region |
Health centre |
Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
276 |
Miguel Bikan Health Centre, Waspam, Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Health post |
Atlántico Norte Autonomous Region |
Renovation |
277 |
Gynaecology and Oncology Centre, Bertha Calderón Hospital, Managua |
Hospital |
Managua |
Renovation |
278 |
Remodelling of the Haematology-Oncology Unit, first stage, Roberto Calderón Hospital |
Hospital |
Managua |
Renovation |
279 |
Remodelling of the dining room, Roberto Calderón Hospital, Managua |
Hospital |
Managua |
Renovation |
280 |
Infrastructure and electrical system, National Radiotherapy Centre, Managua |
Hospital |
Managua |
Renovation |
281 |
Remodelling of the Emergency Unit, Maternity Hospital, África 70 |
Hospital |
Chinandega |
Renovation |
282 |
Remodelling of the postnatal unit, Maternity Hospital, África 70 |
Hospital |
Chinandega |
Renovation |
283 |
Lighting in green areas and the emergency unit, Corinto Hospital, Chinandega |
Hospital |
Chinandega |
Renovation |
284 |
Renovation of the HIV clinic, Humberto Alvarado Hospital, Masaya |
Hospital |
Masaya |
Renovation |
285 |
Remodelling of the external consulting area of the HIV clinic, Granada |
Hospital |
Granada |
Renovation |
286 |
Remodelling of the Pedro Narváez Cisneros Health Post, Jinotepe |
Health post |
Carazo |
Renovation |
287 |
Remodelling of the Pedro Narváez C. Jinotepe Health Post, area for patients with health insurance, Maestro Hospital |
Health post |
Carazo |
Renovation |
288 |
Palacagüina physiotherapy room, Madriz |
Health centre |
Madriz |
Renovation |
289 |
Renovation of the Situation Room and Emergency Operations Centre on the premises of the comprehensive local health-care system, Nueva Segovia |
Other |
Nueva Segovia |
Renovation |
290 |
Replacement of the offices of the Tropical Diseases Programme, Ocotal |
Other |
Nueva Segovia |
Renovation |
291 |
Renovation of the labour and delivery units, Enoc Ortez Health Centre, San Fernando |
Health centre |
Nueva Segovia |
Renovation |
292 |
Construction of maternity centre, Macuelizo, Nueva Segovia |
Maternity centre |
Nueva Segovia |
Renovation |
293 |
Construction of the Los Chiles Maternity Centre |
Maternity centre |
Rio San Juan |
New construction |
294 |
San Juan de Nicaragua Health Post, Río San Juan |
Health post |
Rio San Juan |
Renovation |
295 |
Expansion of the El Cuá Maternity Centre |
Maternity centre |
Jinotega |
Renovation |
296 |
Expansion of the San José de Bocay Maternity Centre |
Maternity centre |
Jinotega |
Renovation |
297 |
Construction of a septic tank at the San Rafael del Sur Health Centre |
Health centre |
Managua |
Renovation |
298 |
Construction of the Pantasma Maternity Centre |
Maternity centre |
Jinotega |
New construction |
299 |
Construction of the Wiwilí Maternity Centre |
Maternity centre |
Jinotega |
New construction |
300 |
Improvement of the wastewater system at the El Sauce Primary Hospital |
Hospital |
León |
Renovation |
301 |
Remodelling of the nuclear medicine building at the National Radiotherapy Centre |
Hospital |
Managua |
Renovation |
302 |
Renovation of facilities for patients with health insurance, Masaya |
Other |
Masaya |
Renovation |
303 |
Renovation of facilities for patients with health insurance, Matagalpa |
Other |
Matagalpa |
Renovation |
304 |
Renovation of facilities for patients with health insurance, Solidaridad |
Other |
Managua |
Renovation |
305 |
Renovation of facilities for patients with health insurance, Boaco |
Other |
Boaco |
Renovation |
306 |
Renovation of facilities for patients with health insurance, El Maestro, Diriamba |
Other |
Carazo |
Renovation |
307 |
Expansion and renovation of facilities for patients with health insurance, Granada |
Other |
Granada |
Renovation |
61.Demonstrating its commitment to compliance with the Regulation on accessibility, the Government of Nicaragua, through the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, has taken measures to ensure respect for and the restitution of the rights of persons with disabilities in the context of transportation, including by:
Designing technical specifications for the purchase of new transportation vehicles that establish requirements for space and lifting equipment (ramps)
Including improvements to accessibility in the requirements for new intercity transport terminal buildings
Providing support to mayors’ offices in the fitting out of new public transportation vehicles and adaptation of existing intercity transport terminals
Working in coordination with the Managua Municipal Council for Markets to install accessibility signs in land transport terminals (the Municipal Council being responsible for the administration of such terminals)
Disseminating the Regulation on accessibility via departmental transport offices, thereby ensuring that it is taken into account and applied in the field of transport
Beginning the process of acquiring 35 urban public transportation vehicles equipped with ramps and spaces for persons with disabilities in the municipality of Managua
62.With regard to support for older persons, particularly those with disabilities, and in compliance with the Nicaraguan Mandatory Technical Regulation on accessibility, buildings that house offices and support centres for older persons in 14 departmental facilities and payment centres have been equipped with access ramps, handrails, accessible bathrooms and wide doors to facilitate mobility and accessibility. Two pharmacies, two eye clinics, an occupational health clinic, a clinic for older persons and the Solidarity Hospital of the Nicaraguan Social Security Institute have also been made accessible.
63.Through local governments, the State has guaranteed accessibility in 14 municipalities, namely, Estelí, Matagalpa, Jinotega, Ocotal, Bluefields, Bilwi, Managua, Nagarote, Juigalpa, El Jícaro, La Paz Centro, Masaya, Nindirí and Niquinómo, by installing paths, platforms, parks, sports facilities, ramps and signs for persons with disabilities. Six municipalities, namely, Estelí, Managua, Masaya, Jinotega, Ocotal and Puerto Cabezas, have approved accessibility ordinances (see annex No. 3: Accessibility works).
Accessibility of information
64.Through its ministries and autonomous institutions, the Government of Nicaragua is making efforts to uphold the right of access to information. To this end, a number of national professional training courses have been made accessible to persons with disabilities, including a computing course using the JAWS application designed for persons with visual impairments, a basic sign language course, orientation and mobility courses and Braille courses.
65.Act No. 621 on Access to Public Information is thus adhered to both in law and in practice. An Access to Public Information Office has been set up in each ministry to provide the public with access to ministerial decisions and agreements.
66.The Government of Reconciliation and National Unity is also endeavouring to ensure that all messages broadcast by the President and the National Assembly are accompanied by interpretation into Nicaraguan Sign Language.
Right to life
67.The State of Nicaragua protects and preserves life from the moment of conception, a stance that it considers law under the following terms:
(a)The law is a legal system rooted in a society;
(b)The law arises and exists to serve people and is a means whose end is the people;
(c)Hominun causa omne ius constitutum est (“every law is created for the benefit of man”) (Hermogenian, Roman jurist).
68.Life is therefore a legal right that is the root of all other legal rights. Without life, no rights can be exercised.
69.The Constitution recognizes the right to life, which is defined in the following articles:
(a)Article 23. The right to life is inviolable and is inherent to every human being. There shall be no death penalty in Nicaragua.
(b)Article 74. The State grants special protection to the process of human reproduction.
70.Women enjoy special protection during pregnancy and are granted maternity leave with pay and all appropriate social security benefits.
71.No one may deny employment to women on grounds of pregnancy or dismiss them during pregnancy or the postnatal period, in conformity with the law.
72.These are legal arguments that allow the State to protect the lives of both the woman and the child in the womb. One of the institutions that ensures that life is protected is the Ministry of Health. Its protocols describe how cases should be handled if complications arise.
Social security
73.Through the Nicaraguan Social Security Institute, the State guarantees the economic and health benefits described in the Social Security Act and its Regulations for all insured persons, retirees and war victims, with or without disabilities (see annex No. 4: Act No. 175, Pension Reserve Act, electronic folder of laws).
74.Persons with a permanent partial or total disability are compensated with economic benefits intended to repair the harm caused by loss of earnings capacity, as determined by the Disability Commission.
75.Health service providers also grant health benefits to all insured and retired persons, with or without disabilities. They provide comprehensive surgical and medical care based on the principles of bioethics, namely, justice, charity and autonomy accompanied by quality, efficiency, effectiveness, safety and compassion. Health service providers are also involved in work to promote, prevent and monitor communicable and non-communicable diseases, and in their diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation, in accordance with the rules of the Ministry of Health and the Nicaraguan Institute of Social Security.
76.The State has a Directorate of Direct Medical Services which provides a number of supplementary medical services to insured persons, retirees and war victims, including:
Glasses, contact lenses and ocular prostheses
Hearing aids and prostheses for deafness
External prostheses and orthoses
77.The State ensures compliance with article 86 of the Social Security Act, which stipulates that persons in receipt of an old-age, invalidity or permanent total disability pension whose physical condition is such that they require the assistance of another person on a permanent basis and who have been assessed by the Disability Commission, are granted an assistance allowance equal to 20 per cent of the basic pension, which may not under any circumstances be less than 50 per cent of the general minimum wage in force.
78.On 19 July 2013, under Presidential Decree No. 28-2013, the rights of older persons and persons with disabilities were upheld through the granting of a reduced pension to those who do not make the contributions set out in the Social Security Act (see annex No. 5: Presidential Decree No. 28-2013).
Health
79.The legal and institutional framework for the restitution of the rights of persons with disabilities in Nicaragua includes the following instruments:
Act No. 423, the General Act on Health
Decree No. 001-2003, the Regulations implementing the General Act on Health
Regulation No. 045, on the protocol for bed sores and venous ulcers
Memorandum of cooperation between the Ministry of Health, the disability sector and the Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman
Agreement on health care with organizations of older persons
Act No. 70, establishing the Alcohol and Drug Addiction Institute
Protocols for the care of chronic patients, neonatal care and Operation Miracle, which have been reviewed and updated
80.These laws and agreements are legal instruments that are binding on health-care practitioners nationwide. Their purpose is to restore the rights of persons with disabilities by adapting offices and facilities so as to guarantee their accessibility for persons with disabilities, and ensuring the availability of specialized medical care, including assistive devices (wheelchairs, orthotics and prosthetics) and, where necessary, specialized testing, external consultations, internal medicine, psychological assistance, physical, speech, occupational and hydrotherapy, electromyography, the filling of prescriptions, wheelchairs, walkers, and prosthetics, orthotics and assistive device workshops.
81.The Aldo Chavarría hospital, the Trinidad hospital and the nursing school in Puerto Cabeza provide 300 prosthetic and 480 orthotic devices per year.
82.The Government has taken action to respond to the auxiliary needs identified in the “A Voice for All” biological and psychosocial survey, in particular by distributing 4,000 wheelchairs through the Ministry of Health, municipal authorities and the “Promotoría Solidaria” outreach programme as well as crutches, white canes and walkers to over 1,400 persons with disabilities.
Prevention of blindness
83.Operation Miracle is running in five locations:
the Carlos Fonseca centre in Matagalpa
the Sandino centre in Managua
one centre in Bluefields
two mobile centres currently located in Carazo and Chontales.
84.Since 2007, 122,545 people have undergone surgery.
85.The Comandante Carlos Fonseca Amador national centre for the rehabilitation of blind and visually impaired persons will provide assistance to persons with visual impairments by helping them to develop various skills, at a cost of 7,035,000 córdobas.
86.The centre measures 790 m2 and includes classrooms, an auditorium, living areas, equipment stores and sleeping quarters.
87.There are audiology centres in Managua, León, Matagalpa, Estelí and Jinotega. Over 300 hearings aids have been distributed and 700 hearing tests administered. There are 22 ear, nose and throat offices in 14 local comprehensive health-care systems and 22 trainee doctors in this specialty. Training in hearing loss care is provided.
88.In addition, through inter-institutional coordination the State ensures that health-care units carry out those special tests and procedures that they are able to provide themselves and provide procedural support for those special tests that are not available through medical services but are necessary for the care of persons with disabilities. It also provides persons with disabilities with all medication and diagnostic and laboratory tests prescribed by professionals affiliated with the Ministry of Health without charge.
89.As one of the Government’s goals is to reduce infant and neonatal mortality, it has rolled out the maternity houses (Casas Maternas) programme, whose primary function is to prevent pregnancy-related complications and problems in newborns, thus preventing disability in children from conception. To this end, 100 maternity houses, with a total capacity of 1,200 beds, have been equipped or built in rural areas and in ethnic and indigenous communities. In 2006, 9,200 births were overseen there, a figure that had tripled by 2012, reaching 25,160 births that year. As a result, the risk of maternal death and of disability has diminished, and birth registration is guaranteed (see annex 6: Casas Maternas network).
90.This State-run programme won the 2011 Americas Prize. The Government of Nicaragua was awarded the Americas Prize for its national Casas Maternas strategy by the United Nations International Training Centre for Local Actors in Atlanta since it met the following three criteria:
Achieving excellence in performance and improvement
Demonstrating excellence in innovation
Adhering to the highest ethical standards
Physical rehabilitation
91.One of the commitments assumed by Nicaragua is to prioritize rehabilitation. Accordingly, it has strengthened the network of rehabilitation services under the Ministry of Health. There are currently 38 level-1 physiotherapy units in health-care centres and 22 rehabilitation services located in departmental hospitals. There is also one teaching hospital specialized in rehabilitation (Aldo Chavarría hospital) and one national referral hospital (Antonio Lenin Fonseca hospital), as well as three centres for the production of prosthetic, orthotic and other assistive devices, located in Managua, Estelí and Puerto Cabezas.
92.In addition, a health centre with a physiotherapy service has been built in the Atlántica Norte autonomous region (Puerto Cabezas) and another is nearing completion at Ocotal hospital in the department of Nueva Segovia. These facilities enhance the comprehensive assistance being provided to persons with disabilities in the northern and Caribbean areas of the country.
93.The Aldo Chavarría hospital has broadened its scope, moving from being a centre for persons with motor disabilities to being a rehabilitation centre for blind persons and persons with motor disabilities and thus extending the coverage of its basic functional training services to 50 blind persons within a four-month period.
94.At the national level, the National Institute of Technology has established close coordination with the Ministry of Health at the Aldo Chavarría rehabilitation hospital, where periodic training is provided to trainee doctors in physiatry, enabling them to intervene early with persons with disabilities so that they receive the professional and employment habilitation needed for their new life circumstances.
Disability and the prevention of HIV/AIDS
95.In November 2007, at the Central American Congress on AIDS (CONCASIDA), Nicaragua initiated a drive to tackle the issue of HIV and persons with disabilities. Although there is no data on persons with disabilities living with the virus, Nicaragua understands that having the disease leads to limitations and restrictions. Accordingly, in 2008, it introduced training in aspects of prevention for leaders of the disability sector and encouraged exchanges between the National Council for Persons with Disabilities and the National AIDS Council. In addition, steps have been taken to encourage persons with disabilities to participate in events and activities organized by the National Council for Persons with Disabilities. In 2010, HIV prevention materials were developed in sign language and Braille. Furthermore, consultations have been undertaken with a view to launching or printing documents that can be read or studied by persons with disabilities.
96.In 2010, an HIV prevention campaign consisting of posters in sign language was launched, and was followed by forums and training sessions with an emphasis on HIV prevention for persons with motor disabilities, deaf persons and blind persons with the fundamental aim of recognizing them as sexual beings.
97.Representatives of the Office of the Civil Branch of Government for Organizations of Persons with Disabilities have been a part of the National AIDS Council since 2013.
98.When the relevant law was amended, measures relating to prevention and care were included for the benefit of persons with disabilities.
The “A Voice for All” (Todos Con Voz) programme
99.In recognition of the need to restore the rights of persons with disabilities, a biological, psychosocial, pedagogical, clinical and genetic study called “A Voice for All” was conducted.
100.The study was piloted in Masaya from 8 October 2009, as the first stage of work on the topic of disability, and was based on tangible facts that made it possible to identify all persons with disabilities, assess their biological and psychosocial condition and determine potential causal factors.
Objectives of the study
101.The first objective was to study the world and psychosocial specificities of persons with disabilities and develop a profile of the population of persons with disabilities.
102.The second objective was to ascertain the causes of disability or the events associated with them.
103.The third objective was to identify this population group’s main needs.
104.The final objective was to promote strategies to improve the support provided to this population group and respond as quickly as possible to critical cases.
Methodology
105.The research involved actions and descriptive elements combining clinical, epidemiological, pedagogical and social methodologies for the purpose of characterizing persons with disabilities who met the criteria for inclusion in the study.
Inclusion criteria
106.All persons with intellectual or other disabilities of the types listed below were included in the study.
Motor disabilities
107.Persons with motor disabilities, including:
(a)Paralysis of an upper or lower limb;
(b)Hemiplegia, hemiparesis, paraplegia, paraparesis, quadriplegia or quadriparesis;
(c)Amputation of upper or lower limbs;
(d)Coordination and muscle tone disorders;
(e)Serious disorders of the central nervous system (e.g. muscular dystrophy);
(f)Alterations of the musculoskeletal system, absence of limbs or other anatomical regions, severe spinal deformities.
Sensory disabilities
108.Persons with the following visual impairments:
(a)Complete blindness: inability to see light in either eye;
(b)Visual impairment: severe, inoperable visual impairment which, in order to be sufficiently corrected to see close up, requires glasses or contact lenses with a minimum strength of 4 diopters;
(c)Complete loss of an eye.
109.Persons with the following hearing impairments:
(a)Deafness: inability to perceive any sound;
(b)Hearing loss: various levels of hearing loss that requires the use of hearing aids.
Disorders of the organs or viscera
110.Persons with chronic kidney failure (only cases where the person required dialysis or haemodialysis).
Mental disabilities
111.Persons with chronic psychosis, namely, schizophrenia, paraphrenia and bipolar disorders.
112.Persons with dementia, in other words any type of Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia or mixed dementia.
Mixed or multiple disabilities
113.This term refers to persons with two or more disabilities.
Intellectual disability
114.Persons who have received a diagnosis of light, moderate, severe or profound intellectual disability or who are suspected of having such a disability and need to be examined in order to confirm the diagnosis.
Study population
115.On behalf of the Government of Reconciliation and National Unity, visits were made to 179,138 households, leading to the inclusion of 126,316 persons with disabilities in the study, equivalent to a disability ratio of 2.5 per 100 inhabitants. Of this number, 32,728 persons – 25.92 per cent of the persons with disabilities included in the study – had an intellectual disability (a disability rate of 0.63 per 100 inhabitants) and 93,588 people – 74.08 per cent of the people studied – had other types of disability (a disability rate of 1.8 per 100 inhabitants). Of those with other disabilities:
46,619 had a motor disability (36.9 per cent);
16,045 had a visual impairment (17.15 per cent);
12,780 had a hearing impairment (10.12 per cent);
7,397 had a mental disability (5.86 per cent);
10,159 had multiple disabilities;
588 were patients with chronic kidney failure.
116.The departments with the highest disability rate are Boaco (3.68 per 100 inhabitants), Río San Juan (3.49 per 100 inhabitants), Madriz (3.36 per 100 inhabitants) and Zelaya Central (3.35 per 100 inhabitants). The lowest rate is in Masaya (1.47 per 100 inhabitants).
117.The following paragraphs provide an overview of the other disabilities by age group and sex:
The other disabilities covered in the study were found predominantly among persons over 60 years of age (41,691 people, or 44.55 per cent) and tended to be motor disabilities, visual and hearing impairments and multiple disabilities. Mental disabilities and visceral disorders were found primarily among 40- to 59-year-olds.
With regard to rates, other disabilities were most prevalent among persons over 60 (0.8 per 100 inhabitants), followed by 40- to 59-year-olds (0.44 per 100 inhabitants), 30- to 39-year-olds (0.18 per 100 inhabitants), 20- to 29-year-olds (0.15 per 100 inhabitants) and 5- to 14-year-olds (0.12 per 100 inhabitants). These disabilities were less frequent among 15- to 19-year-olds (0.08 per 100 inhabitants) and 0- to 4-year-olds (0.03 per 100 inhabitants).
Generally speaking, there was a greater number of other disabilities among males (41,182, or 51.49 per cent) than among females (45,393, or 48.51 per cent), representing a male to female ratio of 1.06.
The findings were similar in most of the departments, except in Managua, where more females had a disability, representing a male to female ratio of 0.89, and in León (0.95), Granada and Carazo (0.97 respectively) and Masaya (0.99).
Males were also found to have higher rates of visual and hearing impairments, mental and visceral disorders and multiple disabilities, but not of motor disabilities, which were slightly more common among females.
Disabilities were more common among males of all age groups, except in the over 60 group, where more women had a disability.
Transition from study to government programme
118.As a result of the study, the State established the national “A Voice for All” Programme, headed by the Ministry of Health and coordinated with the work of other entities, including the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry for Family, the Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman, the “Promotoría Social Solidaria” outreach programme and the Office of the Civil Branch of Government for Organizations of Persons with Disabilities.
119.Concerning the training of human resources, 11 doctors were sent to the sister republic of Cuba to study clinical genetics and obtain a master’s degree in genetic counselling. Of them, nine are departmental coordinators for the “A Voice for All” programme.
120.The World Health Organization’s community-based rehabilitation guidelines were launched within the framework of the programme, with the participation of “A Voice for All” departmental coordinators, the Office of the Civil Branch of Government for Organizations of Persons with Disabilities, the Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman and other associations working on disability issues (see annex 7: community-based rehabilitation guidelines, Nicaragua launch booklet).
121.In addition, training in primary ear and hearing care in line with the basic, intermediate and advanced modules developed by the World Health Organization has been provided at the national level to improve ear health and reduce and prevent hearing impairment.
122.The “A Voice for All” Programme is supported by departmental coordinators at the national level and municipal coordinators across the country. A national plan on comprehensive support for persons with disabilities has been adopted with the general aim of providing comprehensive support to all persons with disabilities nationwide, using mechanisms that involve the individual, families, communities and society as a whole. The plan’s specific objectives are to:
(a)Carry out prevention, care and rehabilitation activities for persons with disabilities;
(b)Improve inter-institutional coordination to ensure the provision of comprehensive care to persons with disabilities;
(c)Ensure genetic assistance for persons with disabilities.
123.In 2011, house-to-house visits were made to 114,902 persons with disabilities, with medical consultations and specialized care organized in parallel. Cases that required surgery were attended to immediately, and certain technical needs, such as for wheelchairs, crutches, canes and walkers, were addressed. The “Promotoría Social Solidaria” programme provides monthly food packages to persons with disabilities whose cases are considered critical, who, in this year, numbered 4,000 nationwide.
124.In 2012, a total of 256,634 house-to-house visits were conducted, providing 33,409 medical consultations to critical cases and 223,225 to other persons with disabilities.
125.In the same period, 1,473 persons with disabilities were transferred to departmental hospitals or national referral hospitals, of whom 200 were hospitalized and 263 underwent specialized examinations.
126.As at July 2013, there had been 163,379 house-to-house visits and the same number of medical consultations, during which “A Voice for All” booklets designed especially for persons with disabilities were distributed (see annex 8: “A Voice for All” booklet).
127.In coordination with the Office of the Civil Branch of Government for Organizations of Persons with Disabilities, regulations for implementing Act No. 763 on the rights of persons with disabilities have been drafted and a document designed to serve as a certificate of disability and identification card for persons with disabilities has been approved, with the aim of:
(a)Providing persons with disabilities registered in the “A Voice for All” Programme, based on the requirements of the Ministry of Health, with a disability certificate and identification card (see annex 8);
(b)Guaranteeing access to the benefits deriving from having a disability certificate and identification card for persons with disabilities registered under the “A Voice for All” Programme;
(c)Establishing requirements and procedures for the issuance of disability certificates;
(d)Establishing which health entities are responsible for issuing disability certificates and identification cards;
(e)Defining the functions of the certification teams.
Education
128.On 11 January 2007, President Ortega decreed that education would be free of charge, thus restoring the right to education of all Nicaraguans. The roll-out of social programmes, such as the provision of school meals, textbooks and school kits for low-income students, and the refurbishment of schools have contributed to increased enrolment, retention and successful completion of nursery and primary education.
129.The education policy set out under the 2012–2016 National Human Development Plan establishes that the Government of Reconciliation and National Unity will continue to guarantee and strengthen the population’s right to free education. From this standpoint, a fundamental human rights-based approach to education has been taken, respecting the principle of universal education.
130.Under the new education model being built in Nicaragua, there is no discrimination of any kind. Nicaraguans receive an education under equal conditions and have equal opportunity to attend a school near their home.
131.The Government is making efforts in the area of teacher training to ensure that teachers have the pedagogical tools they need to provide good quality, equitable instruction that takes into account the learning needs of each student.
132.One of the lines of action adopted by the Ministry of Education to improve the quality of education is the professionalization of teaching. As teachers are the key actors in education, the quality of the education, skills updates and in-service training they receive continues to have a decisive impact on students’ academic outcomes, and the manner in which they teach sets an important standard for the development of the school community.
133.The main lines of action envisaged under the education policy of the Government of Reconciliation and National Unity include:
Continuing the battle for the sixth and ninth grades, in all educational modalities, in order to eliminate rural-urban inequalities, ensuring that all schools offer schooling up to the sixth grade and that more teachers are recruited to support the progressive expansion of schooling up to the ninth grade.
Broadening and strengthening nursery education, as part of comprehensive early childhood support efforts and an initial step in ensuring the integration, retention and success of pupils in primary education.
Boosting conditions for the continuous improvement of efforts to include persons with disabilities in the education system, thus guaranteeing the rights of children, adolescents, young people and adults with disabilities.
Organizing the basic and intermediate education subsystems into educational clusters to address the problem of school dispersion by building systemic synergistic relationships between schools within a given area and facilitating convergence in the organization of activities.
Developing a quality model centred on the school as a setting for human and community development that enables communities to play a role and makes for relevant and meaningful learning.
Moving forward on the professionalization, training and recognition of teachers.
Broadening and strengthening the system of continuous assessment that feeds into students’ progress, the incorporation of information and communications technologies into curricula and the implementation of supplementary programmes, such as tutoring and academic support.
Implementing a flexible curriculum that allows for curricular adjustments to meet the diverse educational needs of the student body.
134.The Ministry of Education’s Special Education Directorate consists of two departments, one for special education and another for inclusive education.
135.At the national level, there are:
26 State special education schools, with an average of 3,000 students enrolled each year, where instruction is provided, either temporarily or permanently, only to students with severe disabilities.
2,148 preschool, primary and secondary education centres attended by an average of 14,000 students with some form of disability each year.
The Academic Advisory Unit, composed of 130 teachers who travel to the mainstream education centres attended by students with special educational needs whether or not stemming from a disability. These teachers have experience in special education and a command of Braille and Nicaraguan sign language, and some hold a specialization in psychology. Their responsibilities are to:
Provide technical and methodological support to teachers in mainstream schools attended by students with special educational needs in accordance with the principle of inclusive education.
Conduct psychopedagogical tests in order to place children, adolescents and young people in the school nearest to their home.
Support the design of an individualized adapted curriculum.
Train teachers in topics related to pedagogical support strategies for students with educational needs whether or not stemming from a disability and to inclusive education.
Facilitate assessment, planning and training workshops.
Interpret for students with visual impairments at the secondary level with a view to facilitating the education process.
Provide training to parents in methodological strategies and therapies aimed at giving their children timely and adapted support.
The Early Education Programme, the objective of which is to identify and provide timely care to children aged between 0-3 years old who are at high risk of or already have developmental issues, with a view to strengthening and developing as far as possible their physical, intellectual, sensory and affective potential through home visits. The Programme is designed not only to develop skills and functional abilities in children but also to enable changes in the family and the environment in which they live that improve their living conditions and ensure that they are respected and included in their family unit and community. Activities are informal and community-based, which facilitates children’s access to preschool education, whether in special education schools or in formal or community preschools. An average of 800 children with developmental issues receive support each year.
Eight Educational Resource Centres for Respect of Diversity, located in the country’s mainstream schools and staffed by teachers who have graduated from teacher training colleges and have experience in special and inclusive education. They are involved in the following activities:
Information-sharing
Counselling and intervention
Research
Training
Formulation of educational materials
Eight schoolrooms, located in hospitals in León (1), Matagalpa (1), Managua (2), Río San Juan (1), Juigalpa (1), Jinotepe (1) and Estelí (1) and used to provide instruction to school-age children who, for health reasons, are hospitalized for long periods of time. Their main purpose is to ensure educational continuity for patients.
An educational resource centre for the blind, which has a team trained to adapt and produce educational materials in Braille, tactile and audio formats.
136.The Special Education Directorate has a team of 11 national pedagogical advisors who have vast experience in special and inclusive education and university-level professional training. The team’s functions include: carrying out support visits to teachers in special educational schools and schools implementing inclusive education programmes, school principals and the technical teams of departmental and municipal authorities; designing curricular support documents; providing training to the staff of departmental and municipal authorities, teachers at special education and mainstream schools and teachers of the Academic Advisory Unit; and adapting and producing educational materials in Braille, tactile and audio formats.
137.Noteworthy actions undertaken by the Special Education Directorate include:
The annual school enrolment campaign
Seminars on inclusive education
Contests on good practices in inclusive education
Fairs to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities
An art festival involving children, adolescents and young people with disabilities
The establishment of the National Counsel of Nicaraguan Sign Language pursuant to Act No. 675 on Nicaraguan Sign Language, published in the country’s Official Gazette No. 75 of 24 April 2009
The design, in coordination with the National Institute of Technology and the National Association of the Deaf, of a basic course in Nicaraguan Sign Language
The publication of a document setting out the regulations on assistance for students with special educational needs as part of efforts to promote respect for Nicaraguan diversity
The development, in coordination with the Teacher Training Directorate, of a programme on inclusive education and respect for diversity and the revision of the module on the same topic to be taught to students at Teacher Training Colleges
Work in conjunction with the Ministry of Education’s statistics office to develop a means of compiling information on students with some form of disability who attend mainstream schools at the preschool, primary and secondary levels, and its roll-out as of 2012.
138.The Ministry of Education’s Special Education Directorate has also rolled out an in-service training plan for teachers and support teams in the field that includes diplomas, courses and training on the following topics:
Inclusive education and respect for diversity
Capacity-building for developers and facilitators of inclusive education
Pedagogical strategies
Curricular accommodations
Early education
Respect for diversity
Multiple disabilities and deaf-blindness
Braille
Use of the abacus
Orientation and mobility
Basic course in Nicaraguan Sign Language
139.The following numbers of teachers have received training:
An annual average of 280 teachers receive training in orientation and mobility, use of the abacus and the Braille system (specifically for teachers who work with blind students). In the workshops, teachers learn techniques to help their blind students to develop the ability to recognize and be aware of their surroundings, to organize and familiarize themselves with their world through physical contact and to move from one place to another efficiently.
Since 2010, an annual average of 150 teachers working with children with hearing impairments have received training in Nicaraguan Sign Language.
140.Sign language interpreters have begun to be assigned to secondary school students with hearing impairments to enhance the education process.
141.Regarding the inclusion of persons with disabilities in educational teams, it should be noted that there are workers with disabilities at the Ministry of Education headquarters, in the Ministry’s departmental and municipal branches and in both special and mainstream schools.
Challenges
142.One challenge is to strengthen support teams at the departmental level by establishing multidisciplinary teams who guide teachers and parents in providing effective support to children, adolescents and young people with some form of disability in order to foster and develop to the greatest extent possible their physical, intellectual, sensory and affective potential.
143.Another challenge is to work in coordination with universities and teacher training colleges to provide specialization courses for teachers who work with students with some form of disability.
144.Working in coordination with the National Institute of Technology to provide courses in Nicaraguan Sign Language interpretation is another challenge outstanding.
145.A further challenge is to strengthen technical education by setting up and properly equipping the classrooms where baking and beauty workshops are held in 25 special education schools.
146.One further challenge is the need to carry out research projects through the Educational Resource Centres for Respect of Diversity that improve educational practices in mainstream schools.
Technical and vocational training
147.Pursuant to Executive Decree No. 3-91 of 10 January 1991, the lead agency for technical and vocational training in Nicaragua is the National Institute of Technology. Its remit includes:
(a)Implementing vocational training programmes designed to enable persons over the age of 14 years and specific population groups to obtain a technical job, adapt to a new job and improve their technical skills;
(b)Design and implement special programmes for women, unemployed persons and handicapped persons, as well as training programmes to support cooperatives and microenterprises.
148.The main objective is to provide comprehensive, good quality training to those requesting it in various sectors of society, with clear policies and strategies that meet the expectations of the country’s social and productive sectors, based on the National Human Development Plan.
149.The topics of entrepreneurship, business management, self-esteem, attitude, responsibility, hygiene and health have been introduced into the institutional study curriculum as a cross-cutting focus in all training courses with the aim of contributing to the social and professional development of persons with disabilities and their greater interaction with the community.
150.The Professional Rehabilitation Department offers various training options to improve the socioeconomic conditions of persons with disabilities through self-employment or starting a microenterprise. The goal is to professionally rehabilitate target groups by preparing them for jobs that meet the needs of the labour market with a view to their integration into the social, professional and productive life of the country.
151.The following activities were conducted in the period 2011–2013:
Training for 1,211 persons with visual impairments (646 men and 565 women) in the following areas: working as a telephone receptionist, motivation and self-esteem, small business management, computing, textiles (hammocks, macramé, bags, baskets, among others), massage, English, packaging (shrimps, baked goods and cigars), box sanding and, with particular success, the preparation of cigars, including training for 106 persons in how to adapt workstations for persons with visual impairments.
Training for 3,142 persons with disabilities (1,060 men and 2,082 women) in the following specializations: bread making, carpentry, foam crafts, floral arrangements, computer repair and maintenance, piñata construction, cutting and sewing, baking and cake decorating, basic gas motors, general beauty services, home-made sorbet, cellular phone repair, hammock-making, self-esteem, decoration and design techniques, collar, sleeve and skirt adjustments, basic plumbing, residential electricity, preserve and nectar-making, general costume jewelry making, Nicaraguan cooking, flower-making and floral arrangements, introduction to professional rehabilitation, business management, accounting and business profile writing, winemaking, horticulture, computing using Job Access With Speech (JAWS), acrylic nail application, vegetable gardening, artisanal breadmaking, basic English, motorcycle repair, handicrafts, hammock weaving, dairy product making, barbershop skills, plant nursery set-up and management, and cosmetology, among others.
Technical assistance and guidance for associations of persons with disabilities.
Awareness-raising on Act No. 763 on the rights of persons with disabilities.
Assistance to persons with disabilities through case studies.
Occupational assessments for applicants for training courses.
Coordination with associations of persons with disabilities to conduct situational evaluations and training needs assessments.
152.Since 2013, accessible technical training modules for persons with disabilities have been designed, accredited and implemented, including in support technologies such as computing with JAWS, basic sign language, orientation and mobility, and the Braille system. Forty-three heads of training at National Institute of Technology training centres have been trained to teach these modules.
153.To ensure that the training is appropriate, psychological, pedagogical and occupational assessments are conducted so that persons with disabilities are placed on a course suited to their abilities.
154.In order to direct the teaching and learning process in a most efficient and useful manner, talks on pedagogical guidelines are held with instructors who provide training to persons with disabilities at the national level.
155.Every two years, the National Institute of Technology teaches an introduction to professional rehabilitation course to residents in physiatry at the Aldo Chavarría rehabilitation hospital in Managua, including information on Act No. 763 on the rights of persons with disabilities.
Employment
156.The Government of Reconciliation and National Unity has persistently demonstrated the political will to protect and restore the labour rights of persons with disabilities with a view to achieving their labour market integration. This determination is directly reflected in the legal framework, and in the following laws in particular:
Act No. 648 on equal rights and opportunities and the related regulations.
Act No. 641 (the Criminal Code). Title X, on violations of labour rights, Sole Chapter, Articles 315–317.
Act No. 815 (the Labour Code).
157.The Government of Nicaragua has also been working to raise awareness among private sector employers, encouraging them to hire persons with disabilities and adapt workspaces and job descriptions to accommodate them. The Ministry of Labour has organized seminars for persons with disabilities and employers with a view to finding common ground in support of their needs.
158.The Ministry of Labour has trained 121 persons with disabilities in occupational health and safety with a view to sensitizing both businesses that employ persons with disabilities and those that do not and showing them how to comply with legislation pertaining to rights of persons with disabilities.
159.In 2010, an inter-agency network for equality and non-discrimination in employment was established. The network is composed of 30 institutions, organizations of persons with disabilities and family, community and life councils, and has been successful in raising awareness of and enhancing compliance with labour legislation. The ultimate aim is to foster a new work culture that is based on respect and de facto compliance with the principles of equal rights and equal opportunities.
160.The Public Employment Service of the Ministry of Labour has prioritized the labour market integration of persons with disabilities as part of its efforts to promote and enforce compliance with fundamental labour rules, principles and rights and strengthen tripartism and dialogue. As a result of its efforts, in the period 2010–2013 365 persons with disabilities were able to find work.
161.Another task of the State of Nicaragua is to carry out labour inspections, focusing on education and monitoring compliance with the labour rights of workers with disabilities. For this purpose, the inspection service uses a methodological and technical guide for labour inspections that has recently been updated to include a section on equality and non-discrimination in employment, mainly with a view to protecting the rights of women and persons with disabilities. The section of the technical guide for inspections that deals with equality and non-discrimination covers the following issues:
Section 5: Equality and non-discrimination |
||
Violation subject to revision |
Legal provision |
|
7.1.1 |
There is discrimination on grounds of sex and the wages of women workers are not equal to those of their male counterparts. |
Arts. 27 and 82, Constitution; Art. 138 Labour Code; Art. 2, Act No. 648; Art. 1, 2 and 8, Act. No. 799; Basic principle XIII; ILO Convention No. 100 |
7.1.2 |
In selection, administration and internal promotion processes not all persons are assessed according to their ability, irrespective of their sex, age, race, disability or political, religious or other beliefs. |
Arts. 27 and 28, Constitution; Basic principle VIII; Art. 34, Act No. 763; ILO Convention No. 111 |
7.1.3 |
Employers do not guarantee employment for all their workers but discriminate against them on grounds of pregnancy, race, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation or family situation. |
Arts. 74 and 82, Constitution; Basic principle III; Art. 34, Act No. 763 |
7.1.4 |
Employers subject workers to discriminatory medical examinations (pregnancy tests, HIV-AIDS tests, fingerprint tests, comprehensive medical examinations, polygraph examinations and others). After statutory medical examinations, the results are not disclosed firstly to the employees themselves. |
Art. 15, Act. No. 779; Ministerial Agreement 005-09-05; Basic principle XI |
7.1.5 |
Employers do not show due consideration and respect for workers, refraining from ill-treatment by word, act or omission and any act that might undermine their dignity. |
Arts. 26 and 36, Constitution; Art. 17, Labour Code; Act. No. 202; Art. 13, Act. No. 238 |
7.1.6 |
A company with 50 or more employees does not meet the minimum 2 per cent quota for persons with disabilities on its payroll. Companies with more than 10 workers and less than 50 workers that do not employ at least one worker who has a disability. |
Arts. 56, 57 and 62, Constitution; Arts. 198, 199, 200 and 201, Labour Code; Act No 763 on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities |
7.1.7 |
Persons living with HIV/AIDS have the right to work and are able to carry out their duties according to their ability. HIV infection is considered an obstacle to recruitment, a reason for sanctions or a grounds for dismissal. |
Art. 36 on the promotion, protection and defence of human rights in the context of HIV/AIDS, Act No. 779 |
7.1.8 |
Employers do not grant all pregnant women workers 4 weeks of paid rest before delivery and 8 weeks after delivery, or 10 weeks in the case of multiple births, with the amount paid being based on the last or highest wage. |
Art. 74, Constitution; Art. 138, Labour Code; Art. 4, Act. No. 718 |
7.1.9 |
Employers ask women who they plan to recruit to take a pregnancy test. |
Art. 74, Constitution; Basic principle XII; Ministerial Agreement No. 005-05-07 |
7.1.10 |
The workplace does not have an adequate facility for breastfeeding or, in the absence of such a facility, workers are not allowed to arrive one hour late or leave one hour early, for a period of six months after delivery. |
Art. 143, Labour Code |
7.1.11 |
Employers deny employment to women on the grounds of pregnancy, or dismiss them without just cause during pregnancy or in the postnatal period. |
Art. 74, Constitution; Art. 144, Labour Code |
7.1.12 |
Employers are violating women workers’ psychological rights, or are sexually harassing or blackmailing them. |
Arts. 26 and 36, Constitution; Art. 17, Labour Code |
7.1.13 |
Employers fail to respect the dignity and privacy of both women and men, who have an equal right not to be subjected to any kind of violence, be it verbal, physical, sociological or of a sexual nature. |
Arts. 26 and 36, Constitution |
7.1.14 |
Detention facilities do not keep special records showing the income of persons deprived of their liberty that is to be given to the person in question or to a family member specified by him or her, which records may be inspected at any time by the labour inspectorate. |
Art. 197, Labour Code |
7.1.15 |
The employer does not keep discriminatory lists, and does not disclose information on its workers or former workers to other employers, for the purpose of discrimination. |
Art. 17 (b), Labour Code |
162.Recent inspection-related actions include a talk given by the Special Prosecutor for Persons with Disabilities on 7 and 8 March 2011, which was attended by public servants from the Ministry of Labour.
163.In 2012, corrective action to remedy violations under section 7 of the technical guide on inspections on equality and non-discrimination was ordered following a total of 1,535 labour inspections nationwide with the aim of educating employers about non-discrimination in employment and ensuring the correct application of Act No. 763 on the labour inclusion of persons with disabilities. The inspectors also drew attention to the requirement for workplaces with more than fifty workers to meet a minimum 2 per cent quota for persons with disabilities on their payroll and for those with less than fifty workers to have at least one person with a disability on their payroll. When seeking to recruit person with disabilities, employers are encouraged to consult the database maintained by the Ministry of Labour’s Public Employment Service. Also in 2012, a total of 78,354 workers benefited from protection in application of section 7 of the inspection guide.
164.With regard to occupational health and safety with an emphasis on persons with disabilities, to mark the National Day of Occupational Health and Safety, celebrated on August 18, the National Council on Health and Safety, chaired by the Ministry of Labour, organized a workshop for the exchange of good practices and experience in the field of disability under the slogan “Workers with disabilities working in safe and healthy conditions”. The focus was on preventing occupational risks in places where persons with disabilities work, ensuring full enjoyment of all their labour rights and promoting business opportunities that facilitate labour integration.
165.As a guarantor of rights, Nicaragua has made enormous efforts to guarantee employment and self-employment for its people in general, and for persons with disabilities in particular, and its institutions have responded as described below.
166.In the quest to respond to the social and labour needs of persons with disabilities, the State of Nicaragua, through the National Institute of Technology, conducted two diagnostic tests to identify workers with some form of disability. The results showed that 54 per cent of workers or 172 persons working at the National Institute’s central offices had a disability.
167.Various State institutions also employ persons with disabilities. There are 8 persons with disabilities working in the central offices of the Ministry of Transport and 476 persons with disabilities working at the Ministry of Health.
168.The National Institute of Technology has also carried out two projects for mine victims, one focused on training strategies for the socioeconomic and vocational reintegration of persons with disabilities who are victims of landmines, the other focused on the reintegration of persons with disabilities who are victims of anti-personnel mines in the municipality of Condega, in Estelí Department. Under the projects, men and women have received training and help to set up productive projects, which help to improve the living conditions and quality of life of the mine victims and members of their families, through the work undertaken in each family.
Participation in political and public life
169.The State of Nicaragua has been making progress in terms of access to the various forms of participation and inclusion in political and public life for persons with disabilities. As a result of these efforts, the Supreme Electoral Council has:
(a)undertaken a census to map out where persons with disabilities are living and begun the process of relocating polling stations in order to improve access to the hugely important political right that is the right to vote;
(b)undertaken a survey to identify persons with disabilities who for various reasons have not been issued with an identity card;
(c)worked to actively integrate persons with disabilities in Nicaraguan electoral processes, giving them the training required for them to be aware of their political rights in electoral matters.
170.In 2008 the Supreme Electoral Council began its programme of work for polling officers. The process continued in the 2010 elections for the Regional Autonomous Governments of the Nicaraguan Caribbean Coast, the 2011 national presidential legislative elections and the 2012 municipal elections.
171.Braille tablets were provided to enable blind people to exercise their right to vote in person:
(a)Election publicity documents were published in Braille for the first time;
(b)The National Census was carried out in the 50 largest municipalities of the country, which are located mainly in urban areas – rural areas are pending – under the joint leadership of the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, municipal councils and organizations of persons with disabilities in the respective municipalities. In 2007 and 2008, 40,000 persons with disabilities were registered during this exercise.
172.The nationwide process of changing identity cards began in 2010, working with national organizations of persons with disabilities.
173.Local governments in the municipalities of Estelí, Matagalpa, Jinotega, Puerto Cabezas, Chinandega, Rivas and Masaya have adopted municipal ordinances on accessibility as a result of the political engagement and advocacy of organizations of persons with disabilities and have established budgets for eliminating architectural barriers, supporting the operations of associations, auxiliary measures, the plan techo (roof plan) for at-risk families, improvements to homes and basic, technical, vocational and professional training.
174.The Nicaraguan Caribbean Coast is divided into two autonomous regions, each with its own government. The government of the Atlántico Sur Autonomous Region has created the position of regional secretary for the promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities and, in 10 of the region’s 12 municipalities, the municipal officer positions envisaged in in-force legislation for the promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities have already been filled.
175.Municipal officers have been appointed in 15 municipalities in the departments of the Pacific, north and central areas, as well as in 10 municipalities in the autonomous regions of the Caribbean Coast, as provided for in in-force legislation (Act No. 763) on the promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities. The 15 other municipalities are in the departments of Matagalpa, Rivas, Buenos Aires, Belén, Tola, Cárdenas, San Juan del Sur, Moyogalpa, Altagracia, Chinandega, Larreynaga, Masatepe, Esquipulas, Ocotal, El Sauce.
176.In the most recent municipal elections, held in 2012, a number of persons with disabilities stood for election and 11 were elected to serve as municipal councillors. Their success was a political accomplishment for this population group as it was the first time that members of organizations of people with disabilities had been nominated as candidates.
Participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport
2008
177.A sports federation was established to meet the needs of athletes with disabilities in the course of 2008. The federation is named the Sports Federation of the Nicaraguan Paralympic Committee and is known by the acronym FEDCOPAN.
178.Following amendments to the General Act on Sports, since 2008, 3 per cent of the budget has been assigned to national and international sporting activities in the following disability categories: vision impairments, deafness, intellectual impairments, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and physical and motor disabilities. A total of 3,674 athletes over the age of 12 years old, of whom 70 per cent were men and 30 per cent women, have participated in international events in different disciplines, achieving excellent results at the Central American level.
2009
179.In 2009, sports received a larger budget, allowing the National Sports Institute to increase women’s participation in sports, supporting emerging athletes aged between 12 and 19 years old in the field of athletics, obtaining first place for the second time in succession at the student level in Central America, and expanding support for other disciplines such as swimming and powerlifting. The total number of participating athletes in 2009 was 4,250.
2010
180.In this year, the Government of Reconciliation and National Unity allocated 3 per cent of the national sports budget to support the development of sports and recreation for persons with disabilities, thereby increasing their participation in national and international events. The total number of participating athletes in this year was 4,880.
2011–2012
181.For the first time Nicaragua participated in the Pan American Games, in Mexico, sending a minimum delegation to compete in the goalball, powerlifting and athletics events, and also in the Paralympic Games in London, to which it was able to send two female athletes and one male athlete, with Gabriel Cuadra obtaining a para pan American record in the 800m in the T-36 (cerebral palsy) class.
182.Since 2012, the number of competing athletes has risen to 9,350, of whom 65 per cent are men and 35 per cent are women.
Physical education
183.There are plans to have physical education teachers in the special schools run by the Ministry of Education. Seven hard-of-hearing persons and one other have been trained as physical education experts.
Physical recreation
184.The participation of persons with disabilities in recreational activities such as hiking, children’s games and camping is beginning to rise.