Public health advocacy platform, Project Kampe Bodi, has called for urgent reforms to make government hospitals more inclusive and accessible for persons with disabilities (PWDs), stressing that equitable healthcare cannot be achieved without addressing the barriers faced by vulnerable groups.
The call was made during the platform’s maiden Stakeholders Roundtable Meeting held in Abuja, themed “Strengthening Service Delivery in Nigeria’s Government Hospitals.” The meeting brought together more than 30 participants, including persons with disabilities, patient advocacy organisations, community representatives and healthcare professionals, to discuss ways of improving healthcare services across the country.
Participants highlighted persistent challenges confronting persons with disabilities in public hospitals, including discrimination, poor communication, inaccessible facilities and inadequate support services. They urged the government to strengthen the Patients’ Bill of Rights, establish disability help desks equipped with assistive technologies, and provide regular disability inclusion training for healthcare workers.
Speaking at the event, a representative of Project Kampe Bodi said the roundtable was designed to ensure that the concerns of vulnerable populations are reflected in ongoing healthcare reforms. Similarly, a representative of FACICP Disability+ emphasised the need to translate existing disability policies into practical action by making hospitals genuinely accessible to persons with disabilities.
The stakeholders also recommended the mobilisation of youth health champions and the expansion of accessible telemedicine services to improve healthcare access for underserved communities.
Project Kampe Bodi said it would submit the outcome of the roundtable to the Federal Ministry of Health and relevant stakeholders, while continuing engagement and advocacy efforts to ensure the recommendations are implemented and progress is effectively monitored.
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