Rauf Oyewole, Bauchi
A non-governmental organisation, Better Life Restoration Initiative (BERI) has identified spousal consent, illiteracy, cultural norms, poverty, insecurity, non-compliance with the ethical conduct by health workers as a roadblocks to accessing health care facilities in Bauchi rural communities.
BERI further said that gender barriers, stigma and discrimination of patients on the part of some health personnel have worsened the health of many people, adding that many others have developed depression due to stigmatisation and stigma.
Executive Director of BERI, Mr. Nkem Ogbonna while speaking during a three-day training organised for health workers and supported by The Global Fund under its project, ‘Gender Equality Fund: Breaking Gender Barriers to Health’, Ogbonna said that apart from barriers serving as cog on the legs of the health care seekers, there are roadblocks at the health care facilities which must be removed for the nation to achieve the Universal Health Coverage.
According to him, in many parts of the state, every woman found at any hospital must have defeated barriers such as; illiteracy, spousal consent, cultural norms, poverty, dilemma, poor access to PHC among others. He urged health workers to uphold their ethical standards by shunning stigmatisation and discrimination of patients in any form.
“The roots of stigma and discrimination against patients could be linked to ignorance, lack of confidentiality, lack of orientation and awareness, lack of empathy, professionalism issue and political affiliation.”
He urged the practitioners to be more friendly with their patients and build confidence in their people.
Also speaking, Prof Mukhtar Abdullahi of the Department of General Studies at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Bauchi, enjoined the personnel to assist the patients to be free and safe in their hand rather than being a nightmare for their clients.
Abdullahi urged patients to seek medical treatment early, speaking up and connecting with others who have similar problems.
