Every visit to a clinic should be simple but for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Uganda, it remains a battle. Healthcare is not equally accessible: PWDs face long waits, inaccessible facilities, and limited specialized care.
Nakyema shares the shocking reality she experiences every day.
My name is Nakyema, and I am living with a disability. I am also HIV positive. Every time I need to visit a clinic, I face a battle that most people cannot even imagine.
Moving around is a challenge on its own. I use crutches, and uneven roads or long distances make every journey exhausting and painful. Once I reach the health center, the difficulties continue. Ramps are too steep or missing, doors are narrow, and sometimes I struggle just to enter the building. Communication is often another barrier there is rarely anyone who can help explain my symptoms or guide me through the clinic. I often have to rely on relatives, which makes me feel exposed and uneasy.
Even after waiting for hours, treatment is not guaranteed. Many times, the medicines I need are too expensive, and I cannot afford them. I have watched others leave the clinic empty-handed because of high costs, and I know I am not the only one. Being HIV positive adds even more pressure without proper medication, my health is at risk, and every visit feels like a gamble.
I know that many others with disabilities face similar struggles from inaccessible facilities to lack of affordable care. But thanks to ChildCare Foundation (CCF), our voices are finally being heard. Through their support, some clinics have begun providing accessible services, and CCF helps raise awareness about our needs. They remind us that healthcare is a right, that inclusion matters, and their work gives us hope that inclusive, affordable care can become a reality for everyone and at no cost to us
Join the CCF to make healthcare accessible for all. You can support ChildCare Foundation by donating, volunteering, or helping raise awareness about the challenges PWDs face. Every action counts in creating a health system that truly leaves no one behind
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