As part of its efforts to ensure full implementation of universal health coverage, the Zamfara Primary Health Care Board (PHCB) on Saturday sensitised people with special needs on their rights to primary healthcare services.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the board, in collaboration with the state Ministry for Social Welfare organised a one-day training for the members of Joint National Association of Persons with Disability (JONAPWD), on how to access primary healthcare services.
During the event, the PHCB also offered free medical services to JONAPWD members and their children.
Various resource persons presented lectures at the event on routine immunisation, pregnancy and maternity, breastfeeding and nutrition, among others.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the board, Dr Tukur Isma’il, said the event was to ensure the universal health coverage among the JONAPWD members.
“This is aimed at addressing a complains of marginalisation of people with special needs especially as regard to health care services delivery,” he said.
Isam’il commended Gov. Bello Matawalle for signing the state disability bill into law, adding, ”the programme is part of the provisions of the law.
“As we all know, out of the world’s population, 11 per cent are people with disabilities, therefore they have the right to participate in every sector of human development, we consider them like any other person.
“We are conducting quarterly sensitisation/Baby Show programme where we invite various groups of people disability through their association from the 14 Local Government Areas of the state.
“The participants are expected to go back to their communities and step down this to the grassroots,” the executive secretary added.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, State Ministry for Social Welfare, Dr Habibu Yelwa, described the programme as a welcome development.
Yelwa commended state Ministry of health and the board for organising the event, saying, ”the gesture is first of its kind since the creation of the state.”
He commended the state leadership of JONAPWD for working towards addressing the challenges affecting its members.
“This indicate that the disability bill signed by Gov. Bello Matawalle has started impacting the lives of vulnerable groups,” Yelwa said.
He called on the social workers of the ministry and JONAPWD officials to ensure that they extended the orientation to the grassroots especially to those with special needs.
The Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Health, Aliyu Maikiyo described the programme as a good step in promoting social protection policy of the state.
Maikiyo, represented by the Director, Nursing, Mr Jamilu Dinawa, called on the beneficiaries to participate actively and ensure that they cascade what they have learnt to grassroots judiciously.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistance (SSA) to Matawalle on People with Special Needs, Malam Lawali Madugu-Maradun appreciated the administration’s commitment to the protection f the rights of all citizens, irrespective of their conditions.
Madugu-Maradun commended the leaders of JONAPWD for their active partnership with the state government and other stakeholders towards promoting development among their members.
The State Chairman, JONAPWD, Dr Bilyaminu Umar, commended the state government for working towards the promotion welfare of people with special needs.
He said that JONAPWD was established to promote the rights and development of Nigerians with disabilities
“We are highly delighted for witnessing this kind gesture, we are going to work towards its success, we are going to make sure that the sensitisation is extended to the grassroots.
“We appreciate Gov. Matawalle for signing the disability law, we really we have started enjoying a lot from the provisions of the law,” Umar added. (NAN)a
