The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to promoting disability inclusion in healthcare services through actionable policy frameworks.
Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, made this known during the commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, held at the Abuja.
The event’s theme, “Leadership of Persons with Disabilities: A Pathway to an Inclusive and Sustainable Future,” underscored the importance of inclusive leadership in achieving sustainability as the minister Marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
In his keynote address, Dr. Salako emphasized that disability inclusion is a cornerstone of the government’s efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC). He highlighted the Ministry’s deliberate steps to ensure equitable access to quality healthcare services for persons with disabilities.
Referring to the 2022 World Report on Disability, Dr. Salako acknowledged the challenges faced by persons with disabilities and underscored the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s response through strategic policy initiatives. He noted the development of the National Policy on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Persons with Disabilities, a comprehensive framework aimed at addressing the reproductive health concerns of women and girls with disabilities.
Represented at the event by Dr. John Ovuoraye, Director of the Gender, Adolescent, School Health, and Elderly Division of the Family Health Department, Dr. Salako affirmed: “The Ministry will continue to invest in providing quality healthcare for all, in line with the Ministerial Blueprint, the Sector-Wide Approach, and the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative.”
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Earlier, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom, mni, reaffirmed the government’s alignment with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda, emphasizing the pledge to “leave no one behind.” Represented by Mr. Suleiman Nuhub Iki, Kachollom stated: “This ambitious plan of action reflects the international community’s belief in equal treatment for all.”
The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), Hon. Ayuba Gufwan, called for unified efforts to dismantle systemic barriers that hinder the full potential of persons with disabilities.
The event featured goodwill messages from government officials, stakeholders, and representatives of the World Health Organization. Highlights included the distribution of assistive devices, such as white canes and walkers, to various disability clusters.
