In a bid to find lasting solution to the long existing communication gap between the deaf and healthworkers, the Deaf Women Aloud Initiative (DWAI) has moved its campaign to the Kuje General Hospital.
Its Executive Director Helen Beyioku-Alase, who led a delegation on an advocacy visit to the Medical Director (MD) Kuje General Hospital Dr. udofia Oscar, said the visit became pertinent as deaf women in particular always stayed away from hospital due to communication barrier.
She disclosed the organisation’s plan to produce a sign-language glossary to ease comunication for deaf women when they visit any healthcare facility, saying this will also help health workers learn the sign-language.
“We need access to hospital and that is why we are developing a sign-language glossary so that when deaf women visit the hospital she can communicate with the book,” she said.
“This booklet will help the healthworkers learn sign-language while working and so it will go a long way in bridging the communication barriers,” she added.
Responding, Dr. Oscar lauded the initiative stressing that it has always been a challenge communicating with the deaf when they visit the hospital.
Oscar assured of the hospital committment to the project, assuring that doctors and nurses will be allowed to learn the language so as to improve on better services for the deaf.
“I have encountered a deaf couple in the past and I was only able to have a conversation with them through writing, it was a challenge but we managed to carry out ante natal care for them,” he said.
“I also want to join class when it comes to training and I will ensure we nominate Out Patient Doctor’s and nurses from the ante-natal clinic to be part of the project,” he assured.
