GNAD organizes training workshop on Sexual Reproductive Health for its members

The Executive Director of the Ghana National Association of the Deaf (GNAD), Mr. Juventus Duorinaah has called on the Government to implement measures that will increase awareness about Sexual and Reproductive Health among the hearing impaired.

"The media must also include sign language in their reportage to remove barriers that hinder access to such information."

He made that call at the opening of a three-day workshop organized by GNAD in Accra on Thursday.

The programme, was held on the theme “Tackling Barriers to Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Services for the Deaf”

It sought to among others, educate participants on the laws of abortion, its legal implications, comprehensive abortion care and the right places to go, to get information about SRH.

According to the Executive Director, there was the need for Government to collaborate with his outfit for frequent training and sensitization of healthcare workers on Deaf friendly SRH services and ensure that sign language services were covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

He added that it was also necessary for the government to facilitate the translation of major SRH documents and materials into sign languages.

Mr. Juventus Duorinaah further revealed that, through research findings, GNAD had presented a document concerning the SRH needs and concerns of the deaf community to the Ministry of Health (MOH).

The workshop, he said, formed part of the efforts to consolidate the capacity and experiences of the Deaf community on the dangers of unsafe abortion, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) and family planning.

Addressing participants, a health practitioner at Adabraka Polyclinic in Accra, Madam Beatrice Okoh stated that, the education is not to encourage abortion but rather educate members on abortion and it's consequences.

She encouraged the government to continue training more nurses in sign language, since communication barrier has become a challenge, and commended the GNAD for their continuous support for the welfare of its members, and urged them to organize more educational programs.

Project Officer Assistant of, GNAD, Mr. Eric Sapey Junior in his submission appealed to government, individuals and corporate organizations to support the activities of GNAD.

In furtherance, he urged participants to use the knowledge they have acquired to improve their lives.