Many persons with disabilities in Nigeria struggle to access medical care due to inaccessibility of hospitals and healthcare centers. The lack of sign language interpreters, ramps, and accessible toilets results in delayed or denied medical attention, leading to preventable deaths. Mrs. Joy Okafor, a 34-year-old woman with hearing impairment, lost her first pregnancy at a hospital in Lagos due to the absence of an interpreter.
The challenges faced by persons with disabilities are widespread and systemic. Findings show that most primary health centers, general hospitals, and federal medical centers were built without accessibility audits. Toilets are too narrow for wheelchairs, consultation rooms are upstairs, and emergency wards have high steps. The Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, mandates accessibility, but implementation remains on paper three years after the deadline.
The lack of accessibility is not limited to physical infrastructure. Healthcare workers often lack training in disability-inclusive care, leading to poor attitudes and inadequate treatment. Some healthcare workers use derogatory language when interacting with persons with disabilities, further discouraging them from seeking medical attention. Advocates stress the need for training and education to address these issues.
The health sector is particularly challenging for persons with hearing impairments. Without sign language interpreters, misdiagnosis is almost certain. The Association of Sign Language Interpreters of Nigeria has written to the Ministry of Health to employ interpreters and train nurses in basic sign language, but no action has been taken. This has resulted in preventable deaths and complications.
Advocates blame the lack of political will for the continued inaccessibility of hospitals. Despite domestication of the Disability Law by many states, implementation is lacking. The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities is underfunded, and state governments often award hospital contracts without including accessibility requirements. Intentional enforcement and measurable actions are needed to address these issues.
Transportation is another significant barrier for persons with disabilities. Commercial drivers often refuse to carry wheelchair users or charge them double fare. A blind person may be told to pay extra for assistance. This has resulted in delayed or foregone medical care, with devastating consequences. Stakeholders demand action to address these issues and ensure equal access to healthcare.
To address these challenges, stakeholders are calling for an immediate audit of all public hospitals to install accessible infrastructure, employ sign language interpreters, and train healthcare workers in disability-inclusive care. They also advocate for sanctions against developers who build public hospitals without accessibility compliance. Ultimately, intentional and measurable actions are necessary to ensure equal access to healthcare for persons with disabilities in Nigeria.
Key points
- Lack of accessibility in hospitals and healthcare centers results in preventable deaths among persons with disabilities.
- Inadequate training and education of healthcare workers contribute to poor attitudes and inadequate treatment of persons with disabilities.
- Intentional enforcement and measurable actions are necessary to address the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in accessing healthcare in Nigeria.
