By Denen Achussah
STAKEHOLDERS in Benue State have rounded off review of the development of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for health facilities for the implementation of the National Policy on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the state.
The review meeting, which took two days was held at the Benue Metropolitan, Makurdi. The meeting is organised by Disability Rights Advocacy Centre (DRAC) with support from Disability Rights Fund.
Michael Brian Mulungi, Programme Officer DRAC, appreciates the stakeholders for their “time and inputs during the development and validation of the SOPs for the National Policy on the SRHR of PWDs.”
Mulungi noted that to have policies that will serve PWDs, they must be involved in the design of such policies because they know their peculiar needs. He explained that the National Policy on SRHR of PWDs has five thematic areas, to wit: increase knowledge, awareness creation, popular support and issue mainstreaming; improve access to SHR for PWD; inclusion of PWDs in health governance; partnership, collaboration and building capacity across stakeholders; and promotion of research, monitoring and evaluation for evidence-based programming for PWDs issues.
Mulungi named key SRHR advocacy message, stating that PWDs are sexually active like every other person; despite been sexually active their sexual reproductive health needs are more than often neglected and unmet; the task of meeting these needs need not be overwhelming; the issues cannot wait until other populations or issues are addressed; and to meet development goals, we must address the needs of PWDs.
In his contribution, Ekujereonhe Obinna, Executive Director, Disability Advancement Initiative, while urging stakeholders to make useful input into the SOP, noted the most important thing to do in delivering on projects is to construct universal projects that will benefit both PWDs and those not so that the place will be a better place for all.
A nurse, Comrade Akpagher Esther, said she has learned again how to improve on delivering services to PWDs.
“I am a nurse and I think it’s an opportunity to further encourage my colleagues on how to better serve this category of the people. But indeed, we need more trainings,” she said.
On his part, Dr Francis Agbo of Hospitals Management Board, noted that most of the problems facing PWDs are because of the issue of awareness. He said there is the need for PWDs to have desk officers so that they can make recommendations on how best they can be served.
Jennifer Abomnger, Assistant Programme Officer, DRAC, noted that the document is a consolidation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) focusing on management of reproductive health and rights services at facility and primary health care levels.
The National Policy on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of PWDs with emphasis on WGWDs is developed through a participatory process led by the Federal Ministry of Health and the then Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
Others include OPDs, NACA, NHRC and some key development partners such as UNAIDS, UNFPA, UN Women, UNHCR and USAID.
