by Funmi Adekoya
The Advocacy Steering Committee of the Disability Inclusion wants the Osun State Government to reconstruct hospitals and office buildings in the Ministry of Health for easy accessibility by Persons with Disability.
They made the call during an advocacy meeting with the Commissioner for Health, Dr Rafiu Usamotu in Oshogbo.
The Coordinator of the Disability Inclusion Project in Osun State, Mr Kehinde Ogunbiyitan said the committee during infrastructure accessibility audit to selected hospitals and Ministry of Health office building, noted that the infrastructures were not accessible for Persons with Disabilities.
Mr Ogunbiyitan advised that a permanent or temporary ramp be put in place for easy movement for people using wheelchairs as well as engaging the service of sign language interpreters in hospitals for deaf people.
Also speaking, the General Secretary, JONAPWD, Mr Joseph Ogunniran appealed to the state government to include Persons with Disabilities in their intervention programmes.
In his remark, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Rafiu Usamotu assured that the Ministry is ready to partner with the committee to make life easier for Persons with Disabilities.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr Kayode Adegoke, the commissioner said the ministry would take the necessary steps to work on the recommendations of the committee.
It will be recalled that Disability Inclusion Project was to influence policies and programmes in Osun State towards improving access to quality education, health and justice system in government agencies for the benefit of Persons with Disabilities in Osun State.
