FCTA urged to restore sign language interpreters to hospitals

The Chairperson, Abuja Chapter of the Deaf Women Association of Nigeria (DWAN) Mrs Hellen Beyioku-Alase has urged the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to restore sign language interpreters to hospitals in the territory.

She said the restoration of the interpreters would enhance service delivery.

Mrs Hellen Beyioku-Alase who spoke at the 5th edition of Deaf Women Health Awareness week as well as 2018 International Day for Persons with Disabilities in Abuja yesterday said the restoration of the interpreters would enhance efficient service delivery.

“The sign language interpreter’s services in six selected government hospitals in the FCT which had been helpful to the deaf community have stopped since last year,” she said.

She appealed to the secretary of the Health and Human Services Secretariat to make provision of sign language interpreters in hospitals available for the deaf women so that they can fully benefit from the universal health coverage across FCT like other women without disabilities.

In her key note address, the Country Director of IPAS Nigeria, Barrister Hauwa Shekarau said government has failed to promote policies that facilitate efficient sexual and reproductive service delivery most especially for deaf women and girls.

“Women with disabilities in Nigeria face numerous challenges in accessing sexual and reproductive health services .This includes range of violations of their sexual and reproductive rights. Everyone’s needs must be considered, valued, and favoured equally irrespective of their physical abilities or disabilities to ensure social inclusion in the society,” she said.