BE INCLUSIVE IN HEALTH SERVICES - PWDs

"Us Persons With Disabilities in Zambia we are facing a lot of challenges when it comes seek sexual reproductive health services in health facilities across the country," Banda

By Daily News Reporter

Youth in Action for Disability Inclusion in Zambia (YADIZ) Ian Banda speaking at the panel discussion with media in Lusaka stated that they is need for people with disabilities to be given the same respect and dignity as all humans and by not showing them the misconception and discrimination that people with disabilities are not sexually active and are unable to reproduce.

He further said this shows that discrimination deters people with disabilities from accessing these services, making them vulnerable to HIV and Aids.

He also noted that most health facilities lack ramps for physically challenged individuals and sign interpreters to communicate their needs.

Meanwhile, HIV activist and disability advocate who is also founder of position movement Nsofwa Sampa, added that the importance of understanding their rights and reporting cases of abuse without fear or favor.

She urged parents to take the lead in empowering their children living with disabilities and for the media to be watchdogs and provide adequate information on the challenges faced by persons with compounded vulnerability and the various types of disabilities,

Furthermore, Nsofwa called for stakeholders and government to provide a positive image on issues surrounding sexual reproductive health services and to establish infrastructure that speaks to persons with disabilities in various health facilities, such as Rams.

Sampa said that many persons with disabilities are vulnerable to HIV due to a lack of a platform for reporting their issues.

ZAFOD has been concerned about the stigma and communication barriers faced by young people with disabilities when accessing sexual and reproductive health services.

A Research that was conducted by Cheshire Homes has shown that people with compounding vulnerabilities have limited access to sexual reproductive health services at health centers due to social, environmental, infrastructure, and communication barriers.

BARRIERS FACED BY PERSON WITH DISABILITIES:

Limited education opportunities for PWD on SRH issues	1
Individual level	Sex (gender)
	Socio-cultural/religious beliefs and practices
	Refugee status
	Low literacy rates among disabled people
	Lack of knowledge/ignorance (awareness) on SRH issues
	Communication barrier
	Lack of self-efficacy
Community level	Negative public attitudes towards PWDs’ sexuality issues
	Stigma and discrimination against disabled patients
	Sexual violence and abuse at the community level
	Lack of community or family support network
Health system/institutional level	Poor interpersonal relationships
	Limited/lack of knowledge/capacity on PWD SRH issues
	Insensitivity/negative attitudes
	Discrimination
	Limited consultation time
	Inaccessibility or lack of SRH information/resources
	Low staff capacity/numbers
	Lack of access to HIV counseling and testing
	Lack of adaptation of health information to suit PWDs
	Lack of privacy and confidential services
	Lack of translators/sign language specialists
	Limited availability of special outreach services for antenatal and postnatal care targeting persons with disabilities.
	Stock outs of medicine/medical services
	Lack of wheelchairs/mobility aids
	Unfriendly HIV/aids education materials
	Long waiting times
	Disability unfriendly physical infrastructure
	Lack of adjustable beds for delivery