Kaduna, Nigeria – In a landmark move that has placed it at the forefront of inclusive healthcare in Nigeria, the Kaduna State Government has unveiled a groundbreaking N33 billion Costed Implementation Plan (CIP) aimed at transforming access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
The three-year plan—the first of its kind in Nigeria—was officially launched during a high-level dissemination meeting on Wednesday at the Kaduna office of Sightsavers Nigeria. Developed through an inclusive process that placed persons with disabilities at the center of every stage, the initiative is already being hailed as a game-changing blueprint for equitable healthcare delivery in the country.
A Bold Commitment to Equity and Rights
The CIP is not just another government document—it is a visionary roadmap that acknowledges the systemic discrimination and structural barriers faced by persons with disabilities in accessing basic SRHR services. It outlines a coordinated, fully funded strategy to tackle those barriers head-on, with N21 billion earmarked specifically for infrastructure upgrades to improve physical accessibility in health facilities across the state.
“This plan is not merely a policy document—it is a bold statement of commitment to equity, dignity, and human rights,” declared Naomi Kukah, Deputy Director of Nursing Services at the Kaduna State Ministry of Health, during her keynote address.
“For far too long, persons with disabilities have been pushed to the margins of the health system. This plan identifies strategic actions, allocates resources, and sets clear priorities to correct that injustice.”
Kukah emphasized that the real measure of success will not be in costings or commendations, but in the lives it transforms. She called on all sectors—public, private, and civil society—to rally around the implementation and ensure that no one is left behind.
Inclusion by Design: A Plan Built With, Not For, PWDs
Unlike many top-down policies, the Kaduna CIP was crafted in full collaboration with disability communities. From planning to validation, people with disabilities played leading roles in shaping the five thematic pillars of the plan: public awareness, service delivery barriers, infrastructure, governance and coordination, and monitoring and evaluation.
Dr. Mohammed Liman, a consultant who supported the plan’s development, stressed that physical and communication barriers were major obstacles that the plan directly addresses.
“A substantial portion of the N33 billion—about N21 billion—is going into infrastructure upgrades,” he explained.
“One of the biggest challenges is that many healthcare facilities are simply not accessible. In addition, communication barriers, especially for the deaf and hearing-impaired, are widespread. This plan is designed to tackle these issues from the ground up.”
He added that the CIP provides for training healthcare providers in inclusive communication and accessible service delivery—ensuring that the system adapts to meet the needs of all users.
“It Was Not Done For Us, But With Us”
For many disability advocates, the launch of this plan marks the culmination of years of tireless advocacy. For Riskat Muhammed, Executive Director of the Women with Disabilities Self Reliance Foundation, the moment is as personal as it is historic.
“We were part of the advocacy, the drafting, and now the dissemination,” she said proudly.
“This document represents our voices and our dreams. It was not done for us, but with us. We were there at every step.”
Muhammed highlighted that understanding SRHR is a fundamental human right for women with disabilities, many of whom face both gender-based and disability-based discrimination in the healthcare system.
“Next week, we will be in Zaria to train 40 women with disabilities on their sexual and reproductive health rights. These women will return to their LGAs to raise awareness,” she announced.
She also underscored the urgent need for safeguarding mechanisms, so women can recognize and report abuse in healthcare settings.
A Model for the Nation
For development partners, the Kaduna CIP is a proof of concept for how governments can develop targeted, fully costed, and participatory plans for inclusion. Speaking at the meeting, Anita Gwom, Program Director at Sightsavers Nigeria, emphasized that the organization is aligned with the state’s long-term vision.
“We see our involvement as part of a pilot phase,” she said.
“The government has developed a holistic plan, and when partners like Sightsavers come in, we align our support with that national vision. This is not just a document—it is a call to action.”
Sightsavers, a long-standing advocate for disability-inclusive development, played a pivotal role in convening stakeholders and facilitating consultations during the CIP development process.
What Happens Next?
The launch of the CIP is just the beginning. The Kaduna State Government is now calling on:
- Federal agencies to adopt similar models across other states
- Donor partners to co-fund implementation priorities
- Civil society to hold the government accountable and ensure transparency
- Local government authorities to operationalize the plan at the grassroots
A monitoring and evaluation framework built into the plan will track implementation and ensure that resources reach the intended beneficiaries, while feedback from the disability community will inform adjustments and reforms.
A Turning Point for Inclusive Healthcare
With this N33 billion Costed Implementation Plan, Kaduna State is setting a powerful precedent for rights-based, inclusive governance. It signals a shift from rhetoric to results, from tokenism to true transformation.
As the eyes of the nation turn to Kaduna, the message is clear: Inclusive health is not charity. It is justice. It is policy. And it is possible.
