Health activists have re-echoed the need to bridge the gaps in the delivery of services in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).
They have asked the government to come up with an approach that caters to the rights of all individuals, including those living with disabilities.
Led by Buddu County Chief (Pokino) Jude Muleke made the call while launching the SRHR campaign aimed at increasing access to comprehensive SRHR services for people with disabilities living with HIV and TB survivors.
The campaign is championed by the Association of Disabled Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (ADIPHA) Uganda.
Muleke says all people whether PWDS or not need to make decisions about their sexual reproductive health rights without discrimination and coercion.
He asks the government to come up with inclusive measures that will ensure that all citizens can access all healthcare services in its facilities.
There is a need for the government to invest in sign language interpreters and facilities like toilets lamps and beds in the public health units, which can easily access health services without segregation.
“Persistent discrimination against women and girls living with disabilities and unwillingness to openly and compressively address their issues related to sexual reproductive health is affecting the delivery of health services” Muleke notes.
He adds that “this can be addressed by giving them the right information and support so that they can also make their individual informed decisions but not making choices for them say in access to birth control measures among other issues.” He added.
Patricia Alena Namiwanda, the Sexual Reproductive Health Officer at ADFA Uganda, says that the program is aimed at building the confidence of PWDS and survivors of TB to stand against stigmatization and access SRHR services.
She says PWDs living with HIV/AIDS and people affected with TB are stuck with the challenge of accessing SRHR care. She appeals to the public and civil society organizations to join the campaign to change people’s attitudes towards their SRHR.
“There is an urgent need to ensure access to healthcare services and information for all including people with disabilities, and change of attitude and beliefs, behaviors within communities about SRHR of people with disabilities and advocating for policies that respect and protect them.”
She adds that this will help people with disabilities to address the misconceptions in communities about people with disabilities and make informed choices about sexual reproductive health.
Namiwanda has hope that after two years the project shall be implemented widely.
“We have existing Peer Support Groups among people living with HIV/AIDS and TB survivors and these are going to be strengthened, and the PWDs are also going to be given the confidence to engage with policymakers to implement inclusive SRHR services and make informed decisions,” she reveals.
Richard Musisi the executive director of ADIPHA Uganda says that they have developed strategic partnerships with 15 mainstream civil society organizations that are going to help them promote and champion inclusive accessibility of SRHR services in five districts in the Masaka region hosting persons with disabilities living with HIV/AIDS and affected by TB.
He says that under this program they will also be supporting PWDs abused sexually, those denied access to SRHR Services, and gender-based violence victims undergoing rehabilitation.
“20 people are going to be selected to undergo mentorship and coaching and these are going to be champions, this will develop their confidence and skills and will be champions of service delivery of disability-inclusive HIV/TB services and will help the person living with disability engage with decision makers and implementing partners understand the PWDs rights to access SRHR services’ he adds.
Margret Nakabiri from Marie Stopes asks health workers to try to give services to persons living with disabilities and utilities such as proper beds that they can use when they come to health units.
‘All people have to access medical services with dignity and equity; this will make you an extraordinary service provider, you can support a person living with a disability using the beds you have at your facility as you wait for the procurement of beds that they can use.” She advises.
She adds that the available options of contraceptive measures be explained to them for decisions instead of a health worker making them directly without their consent.
Costansio Nakityo Rachael, the Lwengo Assistant DHO pledged supporting the campaign by putting up special clinics in the facilities within the district to reduce hardship among persons with disability access medical services.
She pointed out the challenge of lack of persons able to understand and interpret sign languages within public facilities which sometimes hampers the delivery of health services to patients.
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