Lagos pioneers inclusive family planning, sensitizes persons with disabilities

Ikeja, Lagos – In a groundbreaking push for equitable healthcare, the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) on Tuesday hosted a high-impact sensitization program themed “Ensuring Equitable Family Planning Access for People with Disabilities in Lagos State” at the Ikeja Local Government Secretariat.

The event, attended by representatives from government agencies, disability advocacy groups, care homes, and healthcare providers, underscored Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to leaving no one behind in accessing reproductive health services.

Speaking on behalf of LASODA General Manager Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, the Director of Medical Rehabilitation, Mobility Aids and Appliances, Mrs. Olukanni-Abokhai E.O., described the initiative as a “milestone in Lagos State’s journey toward inclusive health and social development.”

She reiterated that the Sanwo-Olu administration remains resolute in dismantling barriers that prevent persons with disabilities (PWDs) from accessing essential family planning services.

“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has made it clear: no Lagosian, regardless of ability, will be excluded from critical health interventions. Family planning is a fundamental right, and today we are taking deliberate steps to make it a reality for PWDs,” she declared.

The program featured interactive sessions on contraceptive options, reproductive health myths, and the importance of informed choice tailored specifically to the unique needs of individuals with visual, hearing, physical, and intellectual impairments.

Participants were trained on accessible communication tools, including sign language interpreters and braille materials, ensuring full engagement.

Key highlights included:

Distribution of IEC materials in accessible formats (braille, large print, audio).

On-site counseling by trained family planning experts.

Commitment pledges from disability cluster groups to champion community-level advocacy.

Mrs. Olukanni-Abokhai further revealed that LASODA is collaborating with the Lagos State Ministry of Health and Primary Healthcare Board to integrate disability-friendly protocols into all state-run family planning clinics by Q1 2026.

This includes installing ramps, adjustable examination tables, and training healthcare workers on disability etiquette and inclusive service delivery.

Disability rights advocate Mr. Dare Dairo of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Lagos Chapter, commended the initiative: “For too long, family planning services have been designed without us in mind. Today, Lagos is showing leadership by bringing PWDs to the center of policy and practice.”

The event aligns with the state’s THEMES+ agenda, particularly the Health and Environment pillar, and supports Nigeria’s national family planning goals under the FP2030 framework.

LASODA also announced plans for similar outreach programs in Alimosho, Ikorodu, and Badagry before the end of 2025.

As Lagos continues to position itself as a model of inclusive governance in Africa, Tuesday’s sensitization marks a pivotal step toward a future where reproductive health rights are truly universal.