Trust bemoans lack of disability expertise in district hospitals
The Development Communication Trust (DCT) has expressed concern over lack of expertise to help persons with disability in districts hospitals of the country.
Speaking in an interview on Thursady on the sidelines of Umoyo Wabwino Project meeting with stakeholders in Salima, the projects officer for DCT, Blessings Phiri said that the situation has heavily affected health service delivery in the remote areas.
He said, “Nonexistence of disability friendly facilities, besides having non skilled health workers are the main challenges the disabled are facing in the hospitals in such that they are denied access to quality health services.
“Persons with disabilities do not receive proper information on health in such that there are always communication breakdowns more especially for the deaf and blind” he said.
Phiri added that disability is not seen as a high priority issue in the country as manifested by lack of funds that can accommodate its needs.
Annie Kadzuwa a member of Khombedza radio listening club asked government to consider changing some of its policies in the health sector and emphasize in training its employees in special needs issues.
“There should be programmes in our health facilities that are in favor of the disabled. The infrastructure and equipment should be friendly and accommodative to persons with disabilities in a bid to reduce their day to day problems when accessing healthy services,” she said.
District Nursing Officer for Salima Arthur Champita conceded the challenge but asked the communities to play a part in improving lives of people with disabilities.
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