NAN-HG-14
NHIS
By Talatu Maiwada
Abuja, Oct. 25, 2017 (NAN) Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus care Foundation (SHCF) has called on the Federal Government to include children with disabilities in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in Nigeria.
Mrs Olubunmi Lawal, the President of the Foundation, made the call at an event to commemorate World Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Day 2017, with the theme: `Better Parenting, Leaving no one behind”.
“We call on the government to improve health outcomes for babies with birth defect and disability and the inclusion of disability as a component in national health policies and programmes.
“We ask for an evaluation of existing policies and services and to identify priorities to reduce health inequalities,’’ she said.
She said its inclusion would further ensure that children with birth defect and disabilities were given adequate coverage and affordable premiums.
Lawal said the Foundation had a mandate to protect and advocate for the rights and survival of all Nigerian children born with defects and living with disabilities.
She stated that the rate of abuse, poverty and stigmatisation among children with birth defect remain unacceptably high in the country, adding that women and girls were more vulnerable to abuse.
“Persons with disabilities are more likely to be victims of violence or rape and less likely to obtain police intervention, legal protection and preventive care,’’ Lawal said.
She called on stakeholders to empower children with disabilities through technological advancement to maximise their health by providing information, training and peer support.
Lawal added that there was the need to integrate defect and disability education into undergraduate and continuing education programmes for all health care professionals. (NAN)
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Edited by Ese E. Ekama