MSI Reproductive Choices Marks International Women’s Day with Persons with Disabilities in Adamawa
By Ojoma Yusuf,Yola
In commemoration of International Women’s Day, MSI Reproductive Choices has organized an outreach for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Adamawa State, reinforcing the importance of inclusive access to reproductive healthcare.
The organization, known for providing contraception, safe abortion services, and broader maternal healthcare, brought together over 120 participants from various disability groups. These included members of associations representing the blind, deaf, individuals with spinal cord injuries, leprosy, and albinism, among others.
The event focused on delivering Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) information across four key areas: family planning, menstrual hygiene, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and cervical cancer screening, prevention, and treatment.
The outreach forms part of the ongoing Reproductive Health Pandemic and Resilience Project, funded by KfW and implemented over the past three years in Adamawa and Taraba states in Nigeria’s North-East region.
The initiative was carried out in collaboration with the Adamawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency and the Adamawa State Ministry of Health.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Pharmacist Zirra Mathias Bubanani, emphasized the need for greater inclusiveness in healthcare delivery.
He noted that persons with disabilities often face significant challenges in accessing healthcare services and assured that the state would prioritize their needs moving forward.
In an interview, Rabiu Sambo, North East Regional Marketing and Communication Advisor for MSI Nigeria, said the outreach was designed to make women—particularly those with disabilities—feel included and informed.
He added that the initiative aimed to raise awareness about family planning, cervical cancer, and gender-based violence, while also offering free counseling services and distributing informational materials.
Also speaking, Behavioral Change and Communication Officer Oyewole Adejumo highlighted that persons with disabilities were specifically targeted due to the discrimination they often face, even within healthcare settings.
He stressed that MSI services are inclusive and accessible, urging participants to seek support, especially in cases of violence, noting their heightened vulnerability.
Reacting to the initiative, Godiya Simon, Women Leader of the National Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities, Adamawa Chapter, commended MSI for the outreach. She described the awareness campaign as timely and assured that members would make good use of the information provided.
The event underscored the importance of inclusive healthcare systems, particularly in underserved regions, as stakeholders continue to advocate for equal access to reproductive health services for all.
