By Okechukwu Onuegbu


Deaf women in Anambra State, Friday, lamented over inability to access healthcare services from both public and private health institutions in the State.

They also alleged that their members had lost pregnancies as well as experienced other health complications while being discriminated and stigmatised by health care providers and other members of the society.

This was contained in a research report conducted by Deaf Women Aloud Initiative (DWAI), a Nongovernmental organisation presented at Awka, the Anambra State capital during the launch and dissemination of research findings on inclusive sexual and reproductive health services for deaf women in Anambra State.

The Project Officer, DWAI, Ms Patience Etim, who said the study identified pathways to equitable health information and services for deaf women, explained that inclusive data collection approach was used for the study which made it possible for deaf women, girls and health providers to speak.

According to Etim, a total of 352 deaf women and girls participated in the survey across the 21 Local Government Areas of Anambra State, even as a focus group discussion was equally held with participants drawn from healthcare backgrounds and deaf community.

She added that "Deaf women and girls in Anambra State face a multitude of barriers when accessing health services, challenges that are rooted in systemic, cultural and logistics issues. The needs assessment revealed communication barriers, lack of awareness and training among healthcare providers, and experiences of stigmatisation and discrimination.

"Each of these challenges contributed to a healthcare environment that is not only inaccessible but often unwelcome to deaf individuals. We call on government to employ sign language interpreters in health facilities and to fully implement disability rights act, and the sexual and reproductive health policies for effective and inclusive health care service delivery."

In a remark, the Executive Director, Deaf Women Aloud Initiative (DWAI), Hellen Beyioku-Alase, urged governor Chukwuma Soludo's urgent intervention to include the needs of people with disabilities in the health sector, especially by ensuring that hospitals keep data of people with disabilities accessing their facilities and provision of information for deaf women through video format and sign language.

"The findings reveal significant Communication barriers, lack of accessible health information and numerous challenges in accessing quality health care. However, they also point to clear pathways for improvement. By implementing the recommendations in this report, we can enhance interpreter availability, provide targeted training for healthcare providers.

"And develop inclusive policies that prioritise the health and wellbeing of deaf women and girls. It is a call for healthcare providers, policymakers, community leaders and all stakeholders to come together in solidarity and commitment. Together, we can build a health system that is truly inclusive where every woman and girl, regardless of their hearing ability, has access to the care and support they need," she stated.

Contributing, the State Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke argued that keeping proper data of people with disabilities access to health facilities would help policy makers and others to advocate for enhanced and inclusive healthcare delivery to all in Anambra State.

The representatives of Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs, Princess Bibiana Nwankwo and her counterparts from the Ministry of Health, Dr Uju Okoye promised to take the messages to their respective institutions so as to inspire government actions towards provision of their demands.

Earlier, the Chairman, Anambra State Disability Rights Commission, Barrister Chukwuka Ezewuzie commended the Nongovernmental organisation for chosen Anambra State for the programme which he argued would be a beacon guiding all towards a more inclusive future and transformation of healthcare system.