Body urges govt on better healthcare services for PWDs

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HOIMA - The Government has been urged to ensure that persons with disabilities (PWDs) acquire robust and improved healthcare services.

According to the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU), persons with disabilities have the right to be accorded the highest standard of healthcare services like other Ugandans.

NUDIPU chairperson Ketty Aero says PWDs continue to face several barriers and discrimination as they access healthcare services in the various health facilities across the country.

Speaking during NUDIPU's 38th anniversary celebrations at Hoima Boma grounds in Hoima city on November 14, 2025, Aero said the Government should put in place policies and practices that ensure equal access, reasonable accommodation and patient-centred care, moving beyond basic physical accessibility to include specialised services, trained staff, and addressing social determinants of health.

She said leaders and stakeholders at various levels should ensure that PWDs get the requisite health service delivery like any other Ugandans and that their rights to get appropriate treatment at health facilities should not be violated or infringed on at all costs.

She said, currently there exist several gaps in the health sector as far as the treatment of PWDs is concerned, citing inaccessible facilities, outdated equipment and inadequate staffing meant to offer effective health service delivery to PWDs.

She said legislators and leaders should advocate for policies that mandate disability inclusion in healthcare and ensure existing laws are implemented and monitored effectively.

Aero said the Government should ensure that health workers are trained and equipped with the requisite knowledge on disability rights, inclusion and how to provide respectful and effective care to PWDs while at health facilities.

National Council for PWDs chairperson Yonah Waswa suggested the recruitment of language interpreters in health facilities across the country to enable health workers to understand the plight of PWDs while seeking treatment.

He said leaders should push for physical accessibility beyond ramps, including accessible equipment and the integration of PWD needs into mainstream services at health facilities.

NUDIPU chief executive officer Esther Kyozire said PWDs make 13.2 per cent of the total population, according to the 2024 National population census, hence tasking the Government to allocate more funding and resources to the PWDs aimed at uplifting and enhancing their livelihoods economically.

She also advocated for accessible sexual and reproductive health services among the PWDs.

Gender ministry principal gerontologist Patrick Menya said since 2020, the Government has allocated shillings 42.6 billion to fund various activities aimed at enhancing the well-being of PWDs across the country, including through Emyooga, UWEP and Parish Development Model (PDM) programmes.

He appealed to PWDs to actively participate in these government programmes since they are aimed at eradicating poverty and improving their household incomes.

Hashim Mukama, the chairperson of Union of PWDs in Bunyoro, said poverty, lack of education and poor living conditions, among others, have negatively impacted the health of PWDs and advocated for robust improvements to address the challenges.

Joyce Lanyero, a PWD from Soroti, urged health workers from across the country to stop having negative attitudes against them whenever they go to seek for health services.

Patrick Wandera, a PWD from Kibaale district, said that while constructing health facilities, the Government should put in place facilities that equally accommodate PWDs to allow them easy access to health services.