By Yusuf Yahaya. Co-founder/Publisher, Inclusive Reporters
Access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right for every individual, yet many persons with disabilities continue to experience barriers that prevent them from receiving proper medical care. While healthcare systems are designed to serve everyone, the reality is that many hospitals and health facilities are still not fully inclusive or accessible to persons with disabilities.
For persons with physical disabilities, especially wheelchair users, one of the major challenges is physical accessibility. Some hospitals have buildings with stairs, narrow entrances, and no ramps or elevators, making it difficult or impossible for wheelchair users to access medical services independently. A person who needs urgent healthcare should not face additional barriers simply because the environment was not designed to accommodate their needs.
For persons with hearing impairment, communication remains one of the biggest challenges in healthcare settings. Many Deaf patients visit hospitals where there are no professional sign language interpreters available to support communication between them and healthcare providers. Even when a Deaf person is educated and can read or write, communicating during illness can become extremely difficult because sickness, pain, or emergency situations may affect their ability to express themselves through writing.
The situation is even more challenging for Deaf persons who cannot read or write. Without a qualified sign language interpreter, they may struggle to explain their symptoms, understand their diagnosis, or follow medical instructions. This can put their health and safety at risk. Healthcare facilities need professional interpreters who understand both English-based sign language and local sign language variations to ensure that all Deaf patients receive accurate and effective communication.
Communication barriers in healthcare can sometimes lead to serious consequences, including wrong understanding of symptoms and incorrect treatment. Speaking from personal experience, I once visited a hospital because of severe pain around my hip bone/joint. Due to communication barriers and the absence of a professional sign language interpreter, I could not properly explain my condition to the doctor. I am sure I told him hip bone and joint pain but The doctor recommended medication for leg pain, but I later discovered that the issue was related to my hip bone/joint and was diagnosed as arthritis. The first doctor whom I explained in local sign language probably didn't get me due to lack of professional sign language interpreter. This experience showed me how lack of effective communication can affect the quality of healthcare a person receives.
Persons with visual impairments also face challenges in accessing healthcare services. Many health facilities provide information in formats that are not accessible to blind patients. Written instructions, medical forms, prescriptions, and health information may not be available in Braille, audio formats, or through assistance that enables blind persons to understand and manage their healthcare properly.
Persons with intellectual, developmental, and other forms of disabilities also experience barriers, including lack of patient-centered communication, limited understanding from healthcare workers, and the absence of appropriate support systems. In many cases, healthcare providers may not have enough training on how to provide disability-inclusive services.
These challenges show the gap between healthcare policies and actual implementation. Social protection is not only about financial assistance; it also includes access to essential services such as healthcare. A healthcare system that excludes persons with disabilities cannot truly achieve universal health coverage.
To improve inclusion, hospitals and health institutions must prioritize accessibility by providing ramps, elevators, accessible toilets, and disability-friendly facilities. Healthcare workers should also receive training on disability awareness and inclusive communication practices.
Governments and health authorities should ensure that professional sign language interpreters are available in hospitals, especially in emergency and specialist healthcare settings. Disability organizations should also be involved in designing healthcare policies and programmes because persons with disabilities understand these challenges through lived experience.
Healthcare should be based on dignity, equality, and respect. Persons with disabilities should not have to fight for basic access to medical services or depend on family members to communicate their health needs. An inclusive healthcare system is one where every person, regardless of disability, can receive safe, accurate, and quality care.
Inclusion is not only about allowing persons with disabilities into healthcare facilities; it is about removing the barriers that prevent them from fully benefiting from healthcare services. A society that values every life must ensure that no one is left behind because of disability.
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