By joshua 
Stakeholders in Benue State have continued engagement on the development of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Hospitals and Primary Healthcare Centres for the implementation of National Policy on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the state.
At a meeting held at the Benue Metropolitan Makurdi, the stakeholders reviewed the draft SOP. The meeting is organised by Disability Rights Advocacy Centre (DRAC) with support from Disability Rights Fund.
Michael Brian Mulungi, Programme Officer DRAC, noted that to have policies that will serve PWDs, they must be involved in the design of such policies because they know their peculiar needs.
He explained that the National Policy on SRHR of PWDs has five five thematic areas to wit: Increase knowledge, awareness creation, popular support and issue mainstreaming; improve access to SHR for PWD; inclusion of PWDs in health governance; partnership, collaboration and building capacity across stakeholders; and promotion of research, Monitoring and Evaluation for evidence-based programming for PWDs issues.
Michael named key SRHR advocacy message, stating that PWDs are sexually active like every other person; despite been sexual active their sexual reproductive health needs are more than often neglected and unmet; the task of meeting these needs need not be overwhelming; the issues cannot wait until other populations or issues are addressed; and to meet development goals, we must address the needs of PWDs.
In his contribution, Ekujereonhe Obinna, Executive Director, Disability Advancement Initiative, while urging stakeholders to make useful input into the SOP, noted the most important thing to do in delivering on projects is to construct universal projects that will benefit both PWDs and those not so that the place will be a better place for all.
A nurse, Comrade Akpagher Esther, said she has learned again how to improve on delivering services to PWDs.
“I am a nurse and I think it’s an opportunity to further encourage my colleagues on how to better serve this category of the people. But indeed, we need more trainings,” she said.
On his part, Dr. Francis Agbo of Hospitals Management Board, noted that most of the problems facing PWDs is because of the issue of awareness. He said there is the need for PWDs to have desk officers so that they can make recommendations on how best they can be served.
Jennifer Bomnger, Assistant Programme Manager, DRAC, described the stakeholders meeting as an “important meeting to review Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Hospitals and Primary Healthcare Centres for the implementation of National Policy on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the state.”