By Magnus Eze, Enugu and Wilson Okereke, Afikpo
There has been call for the establishment of Disability Support Desks and engagement of sign language interpreters in government hospitals in Ebonyi State to enable people with disabilities have access to these facilities.
Executive Director of Voice of Disability Initiative (VDI), Catherine Edeh made the call July 23, at a sensitisation programme on sexual and reproductive health and rights for women and girls with disabilities in Abakaliki, the state capital.
Similar event held in Enugu on July 30, where participants restated call for the establishment of Enugu State Disability Rights Commission.
Both events had the collaboration of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), in the two states.
In Ebonyi, over 160 persons selected across different disability clusters as albinism, physically challenged women, deaf and dumb/hearing impairment, the blind, women with cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries among others, attended the programme funded by a UK-based organization known as Amplifychange.
Edeh decried the non-existence of Disability Rights Law in Ebonyi State, stating that the group was determined to advocate for mainstreaming of disability-inclusive programmes into government strategy in Nigeria: «I was stimulated to work towards the well-being of the women and girls with disabilities who were left behind for them to benefit from many programmes in the society.
“It was targeted at making them to know about their health, choices, rights and decisions concerning some infections and how to access health services.”
She also said that VDI would continue to support the people on how to be more intentional about their health at all times and appealed for the enactment of Disability Rights Law in the state.
Community Development Specialist, Mr. Edward Ogenyi said that the event was a two-year project implemented in Kwara, Enugu and Ebonyi States.
He called for the inclusion of disabled people in the development agenda of the state as many resourceful persons could be found among them.
Leader of women with disabilities in Ebonyi State, Mrs. Brenda Ugochinyere Ugwu said: “In most cases, we normally encounter unpleasant treatments at the hospitals because ideally, I have the right to ascertain my health status as a disabled person concerning HIV and other illnesses but the health workers do express surprise over our request as if the condition has robbed us sexual feelings.
“But with this exercise, we are being given sense of belonging and showered with love.”
A participant, Mrs. Blessed Nwanneka Okafor lamented: “For me to access health service requires a lot of people by my side because of the height of the hospital tables and beds but if there are appropriate mechanism in place, the issue of giving the people extra work for me to access service will stop.”
In Enugu, Edeh and JONAPWD Chairman in the state, Onyebuchi Mba, recalled that the State House of Assembly passed the Disability Rights bill into law on 4th April, and it was assented to by the immediate past governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, on May 18, 2023.
However, they noted that the law was yet to be gazetted even as the establishment of the commission is still pending, thereby hindering the full implementation of the law and realizing its benefits to the state.
They appealed to Governor Peter Mbah, to constitute the board of the commission, ensuring a smooth kick-off: “This will align Enugu State with over 22 states in Nigeria that have already established their disability rights commissions, promoting a right-based approach and sustainable development.
“The establishment of the commission will oversee the implementation of the Disability Rights Law, contribute to revenue generation, promote access to education and skills development, entrepreneurship, and business opportunities, reduce poverty and social welfare costs, increase access to healthcare, and attract foreign investment, donors, and partnerships.”