By Chidimma Ajemba
The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities Anambra State Chapter has expressed gratitude towards Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo for launching a free Antenatal and Free Delivery scheme in all government hospitals and Primary Health Centres in the state.
The chairman of JONAPWD, Comrade Ugochukwu Ernest Okeke, conveyed this appreciation during the group’s women wing 2023 Health Meeting, which aimed to promote Disability Inclusive Dialogue on Family Planning and Cervical Cancer.
Okeke highlighted how this initiative will benefit individuals with disabilities who may have faced difficulty accessing healthcare due to financial constraints.
However, he also lamented the discriminatory behaviour of some healthcare workers towards persons with disabilities and urged them to have a change of attitude.
JONAPWD Anambra woman leader, Comrade Ncheta Nwanokwara, emphasised the importance of ensuring that women with disabilities are included in discussions and decisions that impact their lives and charged them to always speak out about any health challenges.
Dr Amasiani Rose, a resource person and coordinator of food safety and hygiene for the Anambra State Ministry of Health, encouraged women with disabilities to prioritize their health by adopting habits such as practicing personal hygiene, washing their hands regularly, maintaining proper sanitation, consuming nutritious food, and avoiding open defecation.
Additionally, the Publicity Secretary of JONAPWD Anambra, Comrade Chidimma Ajemba, reminded women with disabilities the need to adopt a responsible lifestyle and avoid carelessness, which can lead to exposure to various transmitted diseases, including Cervical Cancer.
Health experience sharing from various women clusters formed the high point of the meeting.
