With the increasing demands for prompt and effective healthcare delivery in Nigeria, the National Commission for Persons With Disabilities has collaborated with Poverty and Disability Initiative in Nigeria (PADIN) for timely access to healthcare by Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria.
The free medical outreach which was launched recently in Abuja at the disability colony in Karonmajigi was organized to enhance timely access to primary health facilities by Persons With Disabilities within the community.
Addressing the people, the Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons With Disabilities, Dr. James David Lalu informed that the initiative is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to make better healthcare facilities accessible and affordable.
“I want to use this opportunity to appreciate PADIN for this wonderful initiative to bring telemedicine closer to the community” he added.
Lalu lamented that Persons with disabilities have suffered years of denials to accessible healthcare services due to their conditions.
The ES described the development as a sign of hope for persons with disabilities since they will be directly involved in the process.
He further promised to work closely with the team from PADIN, the Federal Ministry of Health, and the National Health Insurance Agency to ensure total synergy that will remove every barrier to better healthcare facilities as quickly as possible.
Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Head of the medical team, Mrs. Okafor Obinna highlighted the benefits of telemedicine as well as the procedures involved.
She described telemedicine as using technology to deliver clinical care remotely, while creating a virtual clinic.
“We have identified some Persons With Disabilities in the community and they are being trained to handle the processes in telemedicine with the right gadgets” she said.
Okafor added that the team of doctors were there to conduct tests and proffer treatments as well as to carry out minor surgeries, if need be.
The Emir of Karonmajigi, Alhaji Suleman Mohammed Katsina also seized the occasion to thank the organizers of the medical outreach and emphasized the need for more interventions by government and private organizations for the people in the community.
The event was supported by Solitaire Afrique Rural Healthcare Initiative.
Mbanefo JohnMichaels I
Head Information and Public Relations Unit, NCPWD
