Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Nasarawa State have called for the strengthening of policy frameworks to ensure improved access to inclusive, community-based healthcare services for vulnerable groups across the state.
The call was made during an advocacy visit by a delegation of disability rights organisations to the Executive Secretary of the Nasarawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency (NSPHCDA), Dr. Sale Iskilu, in Lafia. The delegation, led by Mallam Haladu Usman, highlighted the persistent challenges faced by PWDs in accessing healthcare due to structural barriers, discrimination, and social stigma.
Usman stressed the need for the strict enforcement of policies aimed at eliminating obstacles to healthcare access, noting that such measures would significantly enhance the delivery of quality care to persons with disabilities at the community level. He also commended the agency for introducing community-driven primary healthcare initiatives and urged traditional institutions and key stakeholders to support ongoing vaccination and immunisation programmes targeted at eradicating preventable diseases.
“We are here to seek assistance for our people. Many of our members still experience discrimination and stigmatization when they visit health facilities. We support your efforts to improve healthcare at the grassroots, and we believe that persons with disabilities should be fully included in all healthcare policies and programmes,” Usman said.
In his response, Dr. Iskilu described the visit as timely and impactful, reaffirming that access to healthcare is the fundamental right of every citizen, regardless of status. He assured the delegation of the agency’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with disability groups to promote inclusive healthcare delivery and deepen community engagement.
Dr. Iskilu added that discussions during the visit also explored ways to expand partnerships with disability organisations to support their integration into community development initiatives, emphasizing that sustained collaboration and inclusive policies remain essential to ensuring that no one is left behind in accessing essential healthcare services.
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