Chidinma Iroegbu and Esther Oseyiomon
Project Kampe Bodi has called for disability help desks, accessible telemedicine and stronger enforcement of the Patients’ Bill of Rights to improve healthcare services in Nigeria’s government hospitals.
The recommendations were made in Abuja at the project’s first roundtable meeting, which focused on improving service delivery for persons with disabilities and other vulnerable patients.
The meeting, held in partnership with the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CEFTPI), had more than 30 participants, including healthcare workers, persons with disabilities, patient advocacy groups and community representatives.
Participants said vulnerable patients still face discrimination, poor communication and difficulties accessing services in public hospitals.
Founder and Board Member of FACICP Disability Plus, Mrs Ekaete Umoh, said hospitals must ensure that disability inclusion moves beyond policies to actual services.
“We must move from policy to practice by making hospitals truly accessible for persons with disabilities,” Umoh said.
Project Kampe Bodi Coordinator, Princess Chifiero, said the concerns of vulnerable groups should form part of decisions on healthcare reforms.
“This roundtable ensures that the voices of vulnerable groups are not only heard but acted upon in shaping healthcare reforms,” Chifiero said.
Other recommendations included the mobilisation of youth health champions and the introduction of disability help desks with assistive technology in government hospitals.
Participants also called for accessible telemedicine and regular training of healthcare workers on inclusive care, while Project Kampe Bodi, an SPPG student-led initiative, said it would continue to promote accountability and quality healthcare services.