In September 2024, Commonwealth Alumnus Dr Charles Chukwuemeka Okolie delivered a training workshop for healthcare service providers in Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria to raise awareness of inclusive healthcare services and improve access to healthcare for gender and sexual minority individuals.
Dr Charles Chukwuemeka Okolie is a public health physician working in the development sector in Nigeria. He isa health program implementer and a consultant in gender, sexuality and reproductive health. Dr Okolie is also a researcher in gender and sexuality studies collaborating with the department of primary care and population studies at the University college, London.
His activity promoted the ACEF theme, Gender and sexuality.
Challenges facing marginalised communities in accessing healthcare in Nigeria
Homosexuality is criminalised in Nigeria, making the LGBTQ+ community at risk of harassment, violence and marginalisation. These threats create barriers to accessing critical services for the LGBTQ+ community, including healthcare. The Southeast region of Nigeria, particularly Abia State, is no exception to the trend of excluding the gender and sexual minority community from healthcare services.
Healthcare providers play a crucial role in ensuring LGBTQ+ individuals receive appropriate care and support. However, due to stigma and a lack of knowledge about health issues specific to LGBTQ+ individuals, the prevalence of diseases such as HIV and mental health problems are increasing amongst the LGBTQ+ community
A multifaceted approach is needed to address the health challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community to improve access to essential, ethical and quality health services.
Awareness workshop for healthcare professionals
Dr Okolie organised a two-day training for health workers from three hospitals in the region to build capacity to create an inclusive and safe space for LGBTQ+ patients. The training brought together 57 health workers trained in LGBTQ+ care representing clinical and non-clinical groups. Following the training, the hospitals would participate in a pilot programme to deliver LGBTQ+ inclusive healthcare services.
Prior to the training, Dr Okolie conducted a base line assessment at the three hospitals to determine the level of awareness on sexual health and LGBTQ+ rights to health care. Dr Okolie used the findings to develop the training content. The objectives of the training were to increase knowledge and awareness of LGBTQ+, discuss challenges faced by LGBTQ+ in accessing healthcare, and make healthcare safer for LGBTQ+ individuals in Abia.
Dr Okolie leveraged his professional network to invite expert guests, including those he made his Commonwealth Professional Fellowship at the Department of Primary Care and Population Science at the University College London (UCL).
Session by a facilitator
Alongside speakers from UCL, special guests included Mr Davis Akuye, Executive Director of Safe Haven, a popular civil society group for the sexual minorities in Nigeria, and Dr Kelechi Omende, the Abia State HIV/AIDS Program Coordinator, representing the Commissioner for Health. Representatives from Synergy for Health Rights and Education-SHRE and RosBen Grassroots Foundation were also in attendance.
Improving healthcare for LGBTQ+
The two-day training was both didactic and interactive. The first day was aimed at clinical health workers and the second day was organised for the non-clinical workers.
Using the training objectives to structure the programme, speakers delivered a range of sessions designed to support participants in applying their learning to improve healthcare for LGBTQ+ patients.
Dr Charles C Okolie with Dr Julia Bailey (on screen)
Dr Julia Bailey, sexual health expert and Associate Professor of sexual health at UCL spoke about gender diversity and sexual healthcare. Dr Bailey highlighted the definition of gender diversity as a recognition of the wide spectrum of identities that exist beyond binary categories of male and female, encompassing the understanding that individuals may identify as non-binary, genderqueer, trans-gender and many other identities. This understanding fosters inclusivity and helps challenge stereotypes and biases tied to rigid gender norms.
Prof Irwin Nazareth, Professor of primary care and works at UCL, discussed sexuality and healthcare. Prof Nazareth discussed that patients may face judgment or unequal treatment based on their sexuality or sexual practices. He addressed sexuality in healthcare is essential for fostering equity, empathy, and comprehensive care for all individuals.
Following this, Dr Tom Witney, a Research Fellow at UCL delivered a session on sexual health, HIV and relationships. The discussion focused on some of the basic concepts and terminologies in sexuality and sexual orientation which include: coming out, down low, men who sleep with men, homosexuality, heteronormativity, homophobia, ally, use of person-centred language during consultations.
The training concluded with a session on how to set up an LGBTQ+ friendly hospital facility, delivered by Dr Gabriel Obokon, an epidemiologist and HIV specialist. Dr Gabriel encouraged participants to be proactive in making healthcare safer for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Setting pilot facilities for inclusive healthcare services
As a result of the training and Dr Okolie’s outreach, three pilot facilities have been set up to offer inclusive health services to sexual and gender minorities.
Through the pilot facilities, Dr Okolie is tracking the post-training indicators to review the impact of the training. This will help understand the number of stakeholders engaged in creating an inclusive health service in Abia State, the number of LGBTQ+ persons seeking health services, changes in the quality of care provided to LGBTQ+ patients, and the promotion of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights for sexual and gender minorities.
Dr Charles Chukwuemeka Okolie is a 2023 Commonwealth Professional Fellow from Nigeria. He completed his Fellowship at the Department of Primary Care and Population Studies, University Colleg London.
