A non-governmental organization, Disability Rights Advocacy Center (DRAC) in collaboration with Anambra Government has launched Anambra State Policy on Sexual And Reproductive Health And Rights of Persons With Disabilities.
The launch took place on a technical meeting organized by DRAC in collaboration with Anambra State Ministry of Health and a wide range of stakeholders to review and adopt Anambra State Policy on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) of Persons with Disabilities.
Following the review and adoption of the Policy by the ministry of health and its agencies, the policy was launched, making it a working document of Anambra State. This is a huge Milestone in the attainment of a more inclusive SRHR services for persons with disabilities at the state.
The Executive Director of DRAC, Dr. Irene Ojugo Patrick-Ogbogu ably represented by Mr. Offiong Ita commended The Leprosy Mission Nigeria for funding the Breaking Barriers Project in Anambra State which has led to the adoption and launching of the Anambra State Policy on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
She stated that this a good step in the right direction for improving access to SRHR services for women and girls with disabilities at the state level and urged the stakeholders to also influence their colleagues in other states to the same.
She appreciated the support of the Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike and the State Ministry of Health and other stakeholders for their contribution to see that the policy was adopted.
Mrs Edith Nwankwo, Director Planning, Research and Statistics in the state Ministry of Health, representing the honourable Commissioner promised that the policy will not just sit on the shelves in the various health institutions but will be put to effective use so as to cater for the needs of women with disabilities in the state.
The Chairman of Anambra State JONAPWD, Mr Ugochukwu Okeke while delivering his goodwill message, thanked DRAC and the State Ministry of Health for ensuring that the policy did not die in the process of review. He was optimistic that the policy will reduce the challenges Persons with Disabilities face in accessing health care services in the state.
Speaking at the launch, the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Justice, Barrister Ngozi Iwouno, applauded the effort of DRAC in ensuring that the SRHR policy was domesticated in the state.
She charged the state Ministry of Health to push for the policy to become a law in the nearest future.
Also present at the launch were representatives from the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency, Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Anambra State Ministry of Information, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Anambra State AIDS Control Agency and members of the Disability community.
