By Lanre Oloyede
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, has called for the establishment of a dedicated health insurance scheme that is accessible, affordable, and responsive to the unique needs of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria.
Hon. Abba Isa made this call during the Core Group Meeting on the Disability Guide for Action Situation Assessment Report of Persons with Disabilities, organized by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
The SSAP, who was represented by his Director Media and Communications, Mr Lanre Oloyede, highlighted the inadequacies of the current National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), describing it as neither inclusive nor favorable to the lived realities of PWDs.
He maintained that this is not merely a matter of fairness, it is a critical step toward achieving global health equity and fulfilling our national commitments under the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act of 2018.”
The presidential aide commended the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, for convening the meeting, emphasizing that it underscores the federal government’s increasing awareness of the systemic health disparities affecting over 30 million Nigerians with disabilities.
“The principle of health equity demands that no one is left behind. Yet today, millions of Nigerians with disabilities continue to face significant challenges in accessing quality, inclusive healthcare due to barriers in affordability, infrastructure, and service delivery. This situation is not only unjust — it is unacceptable,” he stated.
He also acknowledged the efforts of the World Health Organization (WHO) in developing the Disability Guide for Action — a strategic toolkit to support health ministries in addressing disparities in healthcare access for PWDs. He urged that persons with disabilities and their representative organizations be actively involved in the development and implementation of the toolkit, in line with the ethos of “Nothing About Us Without Us.”
To ensure the Disability Guide for Action is relevant and impactful in the Nigerian context, Hon. Abba Isa recommended the following key actions:
Inclusive Stakeholder Engagement: Ensure the active participation of PWDs and their representative bodies throughout the entire process — from situation assessments to policy formulation and implementation.
Data-Driven Policymaking: Establish a comprehensive national health database disaggregated by disability type, gender, and location to guide inclusive planning.
Capacity Building: Institutionalize disability rights training for healthcare workers and service providers to combat stigma, discrimination, and unconscious bias.
Accessible Healthcare Infrastructure: Ensure that all health facilities, including primary health centers, comply with universal design and accessibility standards.
Community-Based Health Services: Expand mobile and community-based health initiatives to reach PWDs in rural and underserved areas.
Monitoring and Accountability: Develop strong accountability frameworks and participatory monitoring mechanisms involving disability advocates and civil society.
Hon. Abba Isa reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to promoting the rights and well-being of all Nigerians, including persons with disabilities. He noted that under the Renewed Hope Agenda, inclusive development is not a choice but a necessity.
“Inclusive health systems are essential to national progress. If we are to build a truly equitable Nigeria, then the health and dignity of every citizen — especially those who are most vulnerable — must be safeguarded,” he concluded.
