LASODA, Ministry Of Health Strengthen Collaborations On Improved Access For PWDs

In a bid to improve access to quality healthcare and promote disability inclusion, the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) has expressed readiness to strengthen its collaboration with the Ministry of Health toward achieving better health outcomes for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). This was made known during a courtesy visit by LASODA’s management team to the Ministry of Health at Alausa, Ikeja, on Monday. The meeting focused on developing inclusive health policies and improving the welfare of PWDs across Lagos State.

Speaking during the visit, the General Manager of LASODA, Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, emphasised the importance of integrating disability inclusion into the state’s health system. She highlighted that achieving this goal requires a deliberate approach that includes continuous stakeholder engagement and the adoption of inclusive health practices. According to her, ensuring equal access to healthcare services is essential to upholding the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.

Mrs. Oyetunde-Lawal further stressed the need for continuous training of healthcare professionals to foster empathy and understanding toward PWDs. She also called for the construction of more primary health centres, recruitment of sign language interpreters, and implementation of policies that make healthcare facilities physically accessible. “There is a need to strengthen the welfare of persons with disabilities through deliberate healthcare policies and inclusive infrastructure that promotes equal access,” she said.

In his remarks, disability advocate Mr. Afolabi Fajemilo expressed the commitment of the disability community to partner with the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) on health-related projects. He noted that such partnerships could include capacity building, financing models, and community-based initiatives that will bridge the healthcare gap for PWDs and improve their overall quality of life.

Responding on behalf of the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tolu Ajomale, Head of Special Projects and Mental Health, commended LASODA for its proactive engagement and reaffirmed the government’s dedication to the welfare of PWDs. He stated that the Lagos State Government has instituted various initiatives to enhance access to governance and quality healthcare for PWDs, adding that collaboration among stakeholders remains vital to building an inclusive and equitable healthcare system across the state.