In a renewed effort to promote disability inclusion and improve access to quality healthcare in Lagos State, the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) has expressed readiness to deepen collaboration with the Ministry of Health to ensure better health outcomes for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
EpeInsights gathered that the General Manager of LASODA, Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, made this known during a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Health in Alausa, Ikeja, on Monday.
She emphasized that advancing disability inclusion within the state’s healthcare system remains a key priority for the agency.
The LASODA delegation included top management staff and representatives of notable disability-focused organizations, such as the Down Syndrome Foundation, the Festus Fajemilo Foundation, and the Albinism Association of Lagos State.
Oyetunde-Lawal highlighted the need for continuous training of healthcare workers to build empathy and understanding in their interaction with PWDs.
She also stressed the importance of ensuring that healthcare facilities are physically accessible and responsive to the needs of people with disabilities.
“We need to strengthen the welfare of persons with disabilities through deliberate healthcare policies,” she said.
“This includes constructing more primary health centres, training medical staff, and recruiting sign language interpreters to bridge communication gaps and facilitate better access to care.”
Adding his voice, Mr. Afolabi Fajemilo, a disability advocate, commended LASODA’s proactive approach and expressed the disability community’s willingness to partner with the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) on targeted health initiatives, training, and innovative financing models to improve healthcare delivery for PWDs.
Responding on behalf of the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tolu Ajomale, who serves as Head of Special Projects and Mental Health, applauded LASODA’s sustained commitment to promoting disability inclusion across the state.
He reaffirmed the government’s determination to ensure equitable access to healthcare services for all residents, including persons with disabilities.
“The Lagos State Government has implemented several initiatives to enhance access to governance and healthcare for PWDs,” Ajomale said. “Collaboration among relevant stakeholders remains vital to building an inclusive and responsive health system.”
The meeting reinforced both agencies’ shared vision of fostering a healthcare environment that leaves no one behind, in line with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration’s goal of achieving inclusive development and social equity across Lagos State.
