The six Coast region counties have been asked to put up a disability-inclusive programme as they work towards achieving the government’s universal health coverage (UHC).
A Mombasa-based non-governmental organisation, Dream Achievers Youth Organization (DAYO) officials have said that despite the higher needs, persons with disabilities often encounter barriers to accessing health services including physical, communication, attitudinal and financial barriers.
The organization advocacy officer Betty Mtuweta said achieving UHC may just be a pipe dream if devolved units fail to ensure disability-inclusive health systems.
“Building the capacity of health service providers on disability-inclusive health and ensuring information about health coverage systems are fully accessible for everyone is also essential,” she said.
She spoke in Kilifi during an advocacy forum with young Adolescent women with disabilities.
Mtuweta said that in Kilifi, needy persons have been exposed to stigma and marginalization leading to violation of their rights due to failure to implement key disability laws.
She said that as an organisation they are demanding the full implementation of Kilifi county disability bill 2021.
The bill was enacted in 2021 by the outgoing administration, but key players have expressed concerns about its failure to fully get implemented to serve the key population.
Kilifi and Mombasa counties are yet to develop a policy to guide budget-making processes.
The organization in collaboration with the White Ribbon organization convened the meeting in line with the ‘We Lead’ program which is implemented to inform and empower disabled women on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) information and services.
White Ribbon organization communication officer Angel Katusia challenged the new Kilifi county government under Governor Gideon Mung'aro to improve on resource allocation targeting people with disabilities.
“We need to ensure that everyone receives effective and quality health services according to their needs without financial hardships,"
“Therefore in the spirit of universal health coverage, the county needs to hear every voice by ensuring that they are on board in every decision making because often or not, policies are developed without the user's voice,” she said.
She said that the ‘We Lead' program will champion the rights of the special groups since the Constitution provides for the right to the highest attainable standard of health, including reproductive health.
The National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) Kilifi county representative Michael Tsuma said women with disabilities often face prejudice, stigma, and discrimination thus leaving them uninformed on issues that directly affect them.
Tsuma said that in Kilifi, about 20,064 people have different forms of disability therefore there is a need for the county government to formulate laws and policies related to the rights of the vulnerable populations.
