Sightsavers has trained 46 health workers on basic sign language to promote inclusion in health facilities in Kaduna.

The organisation, in collaboration with the Nigeria National Association of the Deaf and the Association of Sign Language Interpreters in Nigeria, Kaduna chapter, facilitated the one-week training for health workers.

Sightsavers’ country advocacy coordinator, Esther Bature, stated that the training would help health workers communicate effectively with hearing-impaired patients.

She explained that the participants were selected from 23 facilities in Kaduna North, Kaduna South, and Chikun LGAs, adding that the training focused on sexual and reproductive health.

“A lot of them are not comfortable going to health facilities because there are no sign language interpreters there, and sometimes what they want to discuss is quite confidential.

“But with the health workers now having some basic level of sign language interpretation, it will be easier for them to converse, and it will build their confidence and encourage them to visit hospitals, thereby reducing mortality within the disability community,” she said.

Ms Bature commended the participants for their enthusiasm and discipline during the training, while urging them to share the knowledge they gained with their colleagues.

A cross-section of participants expressed appreciation to Sightsavers for the training, calling it necessary and timely.

Yahya Yunusa from a primary health care in Makera, expressed satisfaction that he had learned to sign all the alphabets and would be able to communicate effectively with a hearing-impaired patient.

Amina Bala from Biba Hospital, Tudun Wada, recalled that some patients with disabilities had been discouraged from visiting hospitals in the past, adding that they would now feel happy and comfortable conversing with health workers.

(NAN)