Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Kaduna State have hailed the government’s bold step in developing and unveiling an inclusive Costed Implementation Plan (CIP) for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)—a move described as long overdue and deeply empowering.
The CIP, launched under the Ministry of Health was formally presented at a stakeholder meeting on Wednesday. It is a comprehensive framework designed to close the gap in healthcare access for PWDs in the state.
“This plan is not just a document. It is our voice in policy,” said Riskat Muhammed, Executive Director of the Women with Disabilities Self-Reliance Foundation. “We were there through every phase—advocacy, planning, and now dissemination. We’re not just beneficiaries; we are co-creators.”
She emphasized the importance of sustaining engagement as the plan enters the implementation phase:
“We will keep monitoring and advocating, ensuring that women with disabilities are not just heard once but continually consulted.”
Salome Net, who leads the Heart to Heart Foundation for Inclusive Education, also praised the plan, calling it a beacon of hope for thousands of PWDs who have long faced systemic neglect in the health sector.
“For years, we have battled marginalisation in accessing SRH services. But this time, we were fully involved. Our realities, our struggles, our solutions—all are captured in this plan. It’s a turning point.”
Speaking on behalf of the Health Commissioner, Deputy Director of Nursing Services, Naomi Kukah, reiterated that SRHR is not a privilege but a right that must be protected and provided for all—especially those most often left behind.
“This plan sets strategic priorities, allocates resources, and above all, promotes equity,” she said. “It is rooted in the principles of inclusion and accountability.”
Consultant Mohammed Liman disclosed that the plan, scheduled to run from 2024 to 2027, would cost approximately N33 billion, with N21 billion allocated for improving infrastructure—addressing long-standing physical and communication barriers that prevent PWDs from accessing care.
Anita Gyom, Programme Director for Sightsavers’ Neglected Tropical Diseases programme, highlighted that while partners are offering technical and financial support, the ultimate leadership and coordination of the plan lie with the Kaduna State Government.
“Our role is to show that inclusive implementation is achievable. The rest depends on political will, collaboration, and consistency,” she said.
As the state moves towards rolling out the plan, stakeholders say this marks a new chapter in disability-inclusive health programming—and a victory for inclusive governance driven by the voices of the people it seeks to serve.
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