The Ogun State Government is intensifying efforts to ensure that People Living with Disabilities (PLWDs) have access to sexual and reproductive health needs and rights as individuals.

Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola, made this known while speaking in Abeokuta, during a sensitisation and orientation for PLWD members, organised by the Board in collaboration with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), to commemorate 2023 World Disability Day with the theme; ’’United in Action to Rescue and Achieve the SDGs For, With and By Persons with Disabilities’’.

Dr. Ogunsola, according to the Board’s Press Officer, Mrs. Fatimah Alatishe, stated that it was imperative for the people living with disabilities to be informed on Family planning, Gender-Based Violence, and Sexually Transmitted Infections, among others, to enable them to live a healthy life despite their predicaments, assuring that the board would continue to accord them the necessary needs.

Also speaking, the representative of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mr. Idowu Daramola said PLWDs were more vulnerable to abuses as well at risk of infection, forced to have abortions, while many had experienced Gender-Based Violence, imploring them to always seek the help from Ministry whenever they have challenges.

Earlier in her remarks, the Director, Primary Health Care, Dr. Salmat Sanni, appreciated the participants, saying that they should not be ashamed of their condition, as necessary measures would be put in place in all primary health facilities across all states to get adequate healthcare without discrimination.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, Mrs. Esther Adejare appreciated the State government for the orientation, noting that it had been an eye-opener for them, urging the board to keep their health workers informed on how to attend to them when they visit facilities.