FCDA proposes sign-language inclusion in nursing school curriculum

The Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) has proposed the inclusion of sign language interpretation in the  school of Nursing curriculum, in order to address the communication barrier between healthcare providers and  deaf women in the country.

Secretary of the Health department at the FCDA, Musa Abdulraheem disclosed this during a healthcare stakeholders meeting organised by Deaf Women Aloud Initiative (DWAI) with support from Voice initiative on the theme, “Increasing Access to Health Service and Information for Deaf Women through sign-language glossary.”

Represented by the Assistant Director ( policy) Health and human services secretariat,  Bukola Azeez, Abdulraheem stressed thr need for nurses to be trained and skilled in sign language interpretation, saying this will enable everyonr to be captured in every healthcare services in Nigeria.

“There should be no barrier for the deaf in accessing quality healthcare, having professional interpreters would bridge the gap for patients receiving accurate diagnoses and appropriate treatment,” she said.

Earlier, the Country Director of IPAS, Mrs Hauwa Shekarau lauded the idea of having sign language glossary especially in all the hospitals, saying it would be helpful for healthcare providers as well as those who have close engagement with deaf women.

“The glossary will be relevant for families, friends and relations, the project is very important aspect of development work.

“This is an epoc making events that will change the barriers  communication with the deaf in the society,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Voice Nigeria Coordinator  Mrs. Ijeoma Okwor, said the Organisation target the most vulnerable in the society with the aim of ensuring they are left behind in having the required healthcare services.

She also said the Organisation approved and funded proposal to implement a 12months project on increay access to sexual and reproductive rights for deaf women with special focus on sign-language glossary to ensure the deaf are not left behind.

In her welxome address, the Executive Director of DWAI, Mrs Helen Beyioku-Alase said goal of the workshop was to provide documentary outline structure for sexual reproductive health related sign-language glossy for adaption.

She said the project aimed at minimising the communication gaps between deaf community especially deaf women and health providers within the health facilities.

“By the end of this project, we expect you will join hands to contribute your quota to the development of sign-language glossary and empowered deaf women enough to be able to make informed decisions about their health , minimise the communication gaps,”she said.

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