By Chigozie Chukwuleta
A two day nonresidential training on prompting Inclusivity and Human Rights in healthcare organized by African Network of Adolescents and Young Persons Development (ANAYD) began today in Awka, Anambra state.
The training holding in Awka has in attendance healthcare workers, Partners and stakeholders drawn from across the state.
Welcoming participants, the Program Manager, Ms Juliet Obiajulu gave an overview of the project which includes but not limited to promoting Inclusivity and Human Rights in healthcare settings with eyes on adolescents and Young people in their diversities.
The Executive Director SACA, Anambra state Mr Johnbosco Ementa during his speech applauded ANAYD FOR their work in the state.
He described the training of health care worker on AYP/KP friendly health care delivery is a move in the right direction. He assured that SACA will accord ANAYD all needed support, and urged participants to put in their best during the training
Three key issues, Creating Inclusive Healthcare Environment, Promoting Inclusivity in Healthcare Settings and Health Rights were treated today by Mr Aaron Sunday, Ms Juliet Obiajulu and Blessing Nnaeme.
Goodwill messages were presented by Partners and some stakeholders like SASCP, SACA, PHCDA, NHRC, APYIN, OSS NO8, HEROES HEALTH, KP, JONAPWD, etc.
In a closing remark, the Executive Director, African Network of Adolescents and Young Persons Development (ANAYD), Mr Aaron Sunday thanked participants for their commitment in ensuring participation despite their job demands.
He observed that the nature of learning in institutions which basically is to provide services in a general skill affects healthcare service delivery for Adolescents and key population.
The Executive Director stated that part of the essence of the training is to challenge participants to move away from excuses to solutions by identifying what the problems are from understanding adolescent and Young people to understanding who key populations are. And also to help healthcare workers understand the peculiarities and challenges faced by AYPs in their diversities
He believes that with clear understanding, such can access healthcare services unencumbered and will in turn happily introduce others to such facility with healthcare workers of appreciable knowledge.
Speaking to Newspathfinder after the day one training, HIV/AIDS Focal Person, Dunukofia LGA, Mr Obeche Daniel described the ANAYD project in Anambra as very important especially as it concerns the aspect of refreshing the knowledge of healthcare workers.
He called for the involvement of more health workers mostly from rural areas who may not have proper information.
The SAPC, Anambra state HIV/AIDS Program Coordinator, Dr Tonia Mbagwu said that the program which is aimed at improving adolescents/ young people and key population friendly public health care services in Anambra state is apt especially in this era of increased social media visibility.
“I hope everything taught doesn’t end with us but scaled up to our places of impact and work environment”, she said
She looks forward to the training being spread to other Senatorial zones of the state
Also speaking, an Exco member of Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities, Anambra state, Ms Gloriamary Nwogbo said the program among other things will serve as an eye opener to health care workers.
One of the facilitators, Ajogwu Blessing Nnaeme said that healthcare providers need such training to understand the peculiarities and challenges faced by AYP/KP in Anambra.
She explained that the program will reduce the barrier stopping AYP/KP from receiving adequate healthcare services.
The training continues tomorrow.
