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Deaf Women Face Neglect in Nigeria’s Maternal Healthcare

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Deaf and disabled women in Nigeria face neglect, communication barriers, and unsafe conditions in maternal healthcare, highlighting urgent need for inclusive policies.

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Abuja, 25 November 2025 – Mrs. Hellen Beyioku-Alase, a mother of four and a Deaf woman, recounted her harrowing experience during her first pregnancy at the General Hospital, Kuje, in 2015.

Also read: First lady Oluremi Tinubu advocates for maternal, newborn health on World Health Day 2025

She revealed that she and her newborn were neglected due to communication barriers, with her baby placed near a wash basin because of insufficient hospital beds.

Delighted by a positive pregnancy test, Beyioku-Alase sought antenatal care, only to be met with blank stares and dismissive body language from healthcare workers who lacked the knowledge or resources to communicate with her.

No sign language interpreters were provided, leaving her excluded from essential prenatal guidance.

“During labour, they didn’t communicate or explain the process. I wasn’t told when to push, and my baby almost didn’t make it,” she told PUNCH Healthwise.

Her husband, also Deaf, could not assist in communicating with staff, compounding the risk.

The neglect extended to family planning services, where healthcare workers assumed she would not understand contraceptive options, putting her health at risk.

pregnancies were also affected, with two miscarriages reportedly linked to inadequate communication and support during care.

Beyioku-Alase eventually sought safer, more inclusive care at a church delivery home, where staff demonstrated empathy and communication flexibility.

Today, she serves as the National President of the Deaf Women Association of Nigeria and Executive Director of Deaf Women Aloud Initiative, advocating for inclusive maternal healthcare across the country.

Maternal Health Challenges in Nigeria

Nigeria has one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally, with UNFPA citing ratios between 500 and 999 deaths per 100,000 live births. Causes include hemorrhage, infection, hypertensive disorders, unsafe abortions, and obstructed labor. Cultural barriers, limited access to healthcare, and negative attitudes from providers often discourage pregnant women, particularly those with disabilities, from seeking proper care.

Approximately 25 million Nigerians live with some form of disability, including 13 million women and girls of reproductive age.

Experts estimate that there may be 4.5–5 million Deaf women in Nigeria. Yet, despite these numbers, women with disabilities face systemic neglect, discrimination, and unsafe conditions in healthcare facilities.

Discrimination by Health Workers

Ekaete Umoh, former president of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, highlighted that healthcare providers often treat women with disabilities unfairly, limiting their reproductive choices and communication access.

“Many deaf women have died during labour because nurses and midwives fail to communicate critical instructions,” she stated.

Betty Mumbe, National Vice President for Persons with Physical Disabilities in Nigeria, cited communication breakdowns, structural inaccessibility, and insensitive care as barriers preventing women with disabilities from accessing sexual and reproductive health services safely.

Dr. Joseph Akinde, Lagos State Chairman of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria, emphasized that women with disabilities are fully capable of reproduction.

He called for sign language interpreters, assistants for visually impaired patients, and facility accessibility improvements to ensure safe maternal care.

Policy Gaps and the Way Forward

Despite Nigeria ratifying the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2010 and launching the National Policy on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2018, implementation gaps persist.

Healthcare facilities rarely integrate disability-inclusive practices, leaving many women at risk.

Rhoda Robinson, Executive Director of HACEY Health Initiative, stressed the need for policies specifically addressing maternal healthcare for women with disabilities, including access to information, family planning, and inclusive infrastructure.

She called for accountability measures to ensure healthcare systems uphold the rights of pregnant women with disabilities.

Beyioku-Alase’s story is a stark reminder of the urgent need for inclusive maternal healthcare policies and practices in Nigeria.

Also read: A New Dawn for Mosan-Okunola LCDA: Akindele Rolls Out 10-Point Action Plan

Advocates urge healthcare providers, policymakers, and civil society to prioritize accessibility, communication support, and respect for the dignity and rights of all mothers.

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GFF@25 Medical Mission Begins October 9 Across Ogun LGAs

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The Gateway Front Foundation’s GFF@25 Medical Mission will begin on October 9 and run through October 24, 2026, bringing free specialist medical services to residents across Ogun State as part of activities marking the foundation’s 25th anniversary.

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The 14-day intervention is being organised by the Gateway Front Foundation in partnership with Sharing Hope Medical Mission from the United States, Sharing Hope and Care Foundation and Redeemer’s Health Village. The programme is sponsored by Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

The mission is expected to provide free major and minor surgeries, eye care, gynaecological procedures, orthopaedic treatment, plastic and burn surgery, as well as other specialist medical services. Organisers say more than 15,000 patients are expected to benefit from the programme.

More than 50 doctors from the United States are expected to participate in the mission, while local healthcare practitioners are also expected to receive training as part of the broader programme.

Ahead of the main intervention, the foundation has already begun medical screening and clinical assessments in parts of Ogun. On September 21, residents in Sagamu were screened across four centres, while another exercise was held on September 30 at Redemption City and Simawa to identify cases requiring specialised and surgical treatment.
The screening exercises covered conditions including cataracts, pterygium, dental cases, tumours, lipomas, ganglions, hernias, fibroids, vesicovaginal fistula, prostate conditions, orthopaedic problems, fractures, dislocations, amputations, diabetes and gastroenterology-related ailments. Selected beneficiaries are expected to proceed to the surgical phase of the programme.

To widen access and reduce pressure on a single location, the foundation has scheduled screening and medical interventions across several Local Government Areas, according to the programme schedule released by the organisers.

The listed locations include Ijebu North, Ijebu North East, Sagamu, Ijebu Ode, Ogun Waterside, Ikenne, Odogbolu, Ijebu East, Remo North and the RCCG City area.

The schedule is as follows:

October 9: Ijebu North, Kabiesi Solaja Hall and Bojowa Street, Ago-Iwoye
October 10: Ijebu North East, GFF Care Centre, Erunwon
October 12: Sagamu, Asoludero Hall and Ogijo
October 13: Ijebu Ode, Obalofin Hall
October 14: Ogun Waterside, Abigi Community Town Hall
October 15: Ikenne
October 16: Odogbolu
October 17: Ijebu East, Hazelway Hotel, Ijebu Mushin
October 18: Remo North, Ode-Remo Main Market
October 9, 10 and 12–16: RCCG City/Health Village area

The Redeemers Health Village in Mowe, Redemption City, will serve as the main location for cases requiring surgery, according to the organisers. This arrangement is intended to provide sufficient space and facilities for surgical procedures.

Monitoring officers have also been assigned to the various locations to coordinate activities, manage the flow of beneficiaries and support the smooth delivery of the medical services.

The GFF@25 Medical Mission is one of the major programmes marking the foundation’s 25th anniversary. The Gateway Front Foundation, established by Daniel, has over the years undertaken healthcare and other community-focused interventions, including medical outreaches and eye-care initiatives.

Residents requiring medical attention have been encouraged by the organisers to visit the nearest designated venue on the appropriate date for screening and assessment.

The foundation said the anniversary programme is intended to extend its humanitarian activities to more communities, with healthcare forming a major part of the GFF@25 interventions.

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Governor Dauda Lawal Approves 95% Salary Increase for Health Workers

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The Governor of Zamfara State, His Excellency Dauda Lawal, has approved a 95 percent salary increase for health workers across the state.

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The approval, which adopts the Federal Government’s Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), is aimed at improving the welfare of health workers and strengthening healthcare delivery in the state.

The development follows an earlier increase by the state government to bring the salaries of medical personnel in Zamfara in line with those of their counterparts in the Federal Government.

With the new approval, a health worker currently earning ₦100,000 will now take home ₦195,000, while someone on ₦200,000 will earn ₦390,000. A worker on ₦300,000 will now receive ₦585,000, and those on ₦500,000 and ₦1,000,000 will earn ₦975,000 and ₦1,950,000 respectively.

In effect, the 95 percent increase means the existing salary of every affected health worker is almost doubled.

The approval is expected to boost morale, attract and retain qualified health professionals, and ultimately improve healthcare delivery across the state.

It also comes shortly after the state government recruited new health workers last week, with the newly engaged staff set to benefit from the new salary structure.

Health workers in the state have since expressed appreciation to Governor Lawal for the gesture, describing it as a major boost to the sector.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare of workers and the delivery of quality healthcare services to the people of Zamfara State.

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NAFDAC urged to probe KissKids diaper claims

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NAFDAC

Consumer advocates call for an independent quality assessment after a viral TikTok video alleged foreign material was found inside a baby diaper

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