Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, and Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, have joined forces to enhance the inclusivity and accessibility of the healthcare system for all Nigerians.
This collaboration unfolded during a courtesy visit by the Senior Special Adviser to the Minister of Health on a Wednesday. During the meeting, Hon. Abba Isa highlighted the objective of promoting disability inclusion in healthcare delivery.
He emphasized on the importance of increased training and awareness among healthcare professionals on disability issues, the Presidential aide underscored the significance of this effort in ensuring equal access to healthcare and other services for persons with disabilities.
Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, expressed agreement to prioritize disability inclusion in the ministry’s policies and programs. The two parties affirmed their commitment to working together to advance disability inclusion within the health sector.
The discussions during the meeting centered on the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in accessing healthcare services. It was recognized that training healthcare workers in inclusive communication could play a crucial role in addressing some of these barriers.
Experts underscored the critical nature of developing a disability-inclusive healthcare system in Nigeria, highlighting its importance in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).