The Ghana National Association of the Deaf (GNAD) organized a one-day Dissemination Forum in Tamale at the Ghana Health Service’s Conference Hall. Participants included representatives from the Regional Health Directorate, various municipal directorates, Regional Hospital, Department of Social Welfare, schools for the deaf and local community members.
Opening the forum, the Regional Health Director emphasized the importance of accurate information for the public, especially for persons with disabilities. He noted that GNAD has conducted a gap analysis regarding access to Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) information and services for the Deaf community. He noted that findings from the study will support the directorate to formulate effective programme that will address the SRH challenges the deaf community face. Briefing participants at the forum, Mr. Juventus Duorinaah, Executive Director of GNAD, highlighted hat the project’s overall goal is to improve deaf people access to SRH information and services including access to proper Menstrual Hygiene Management for adolescent Deaf girls in 4 schools for the Deaf so that they live healthier lives. Touching further, he emphasized that though government has made significant efforts in addressing SRH related challenges, little is known about the situation of deaf people regarding existing policies and program and actual situation on the ground. He said the study was thus relevant to enable GNAD identify key gaps so as to formulate effective policies and programmatic intervention.
Dr. Wisdom Kwadwo Mprah, the Principal Investigator who presented the findings, that the government of Ghana has recognized some of the challenges deaf people encounter and has put measures in place to address these challenges. He noted that GNAD has also engaged in several activities to improve access to SRH to its members. However, there is still dearth of data on the impact of these interventions’ vis a vis actual practice. There is therefore urgent need for further research to address pertinent questions. Touching further on the key findings, the researcher noted that many deaf people still rely on informal and less accurate information sources such as friends and family members. He observed that though this may be general in Ghana, family members/relatives may not be able to explain complex issues on SRH to their deaf children because many of the lack proficiency in the sign language and do not have the competence and confidence to broach the topic for discussions whiles friends may not possess accurate information due to poor knowledge. Participants stressed the need for collaboration between healthcare facilities and GNAD, extending sign language training duration, and incorporating sign language proficiency into licensing exams. This forum was a vital step toward improving healthcare access for Deaf individuals in Ghana.
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