For many persons with disabilities, barriers to healthcare remain deeply entrenched from inaccessible infrastructure to communication gaps and discriminatory attitudes.
Today, ZAPD Accessibility Officers, alongside Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), with support from Sightsavers Zambia, conducted an accessibility audit at Chilenje Level One Hospital.
The audit assessed key areas including infrastructure, client flow, communication, counselling, and health promotion to ensure that inclusion is integrated into every stage of service delivery.
The exercise aimed to determine whether health services are accessible, respectful, and responsive to the diverse needs of persons with disabilities. Following the assessment, recommendations were made, and hospital management expressed willingness to implement adjustments where feasible.
Special recognition goes to the health team, which demonstrated a commitment to serving persons with disabilities and highlighted the measures they have put in place to support patients despite some accessibility challenges identified during the audit.
Together, we can build a health system, and indeed a country that is inclusive, equitable, and responsive to the needs of all people.
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