DWAI Advocates for Disability-Inclusive Health Budget in Gwagwalada

The Deaf Women Aloud Initiative (DWAI) paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Hon. Kasim Mohammed, where the organisation presented a proposal for a Disability-Inclusive Health Budget.

The proposal outlined four key priorities aimed at improving healthcare access and inclusion for persons with disabilities:

• Establish a dedicated budget line for disability-inclusive healthcare.
• Convene a community dialogue with Disabled Persons Organisations (DPOs).
• Appoint a Disability Desk Officer within the Council.
• Strengthen the collection and use of disability-related health data to support effective planning and budgeting.

Receiving the DWAI delegation, Hon. Kasim Mohammed welcomed the engagement and described the advocacy as timely, particularly as the Council prepares for the 2027 fiscal year. He acknowledged the specific barriers faced by persons with disabilities and reaffirmed the responsibility of government to ensure equitable access to essential services.

The Chairman also disclosed that his administration had already appointed a Special Adviser on Disability Affairs, reflecting its stated commitment to addressing issues affecting persons with disabilities.

He assured DWAI that the organisation’s proposals would be forwarded to the Director of Administration for consideration and possible integration into the Council’s planning and budgetary framework.

The engagement represents an important step towards strengthening disability-inclusive governance and healthcare planning at the local government level.

DWAI remains committed to engaging government institutions and advocating for policies, budgets, and services that respond to the lived realities of persons with disabilities.

Inclusive healthcare requires more than policy commitments—it requires resources, data, accountability, and meaningful participation.