Realizing the Right to Health of Persons With Disabilities in Africa: “Empowering Health Professionals for Quality Care of Persons With Disability. A Case of Rwandan Public and Private Health Caregivers”

Persons with disabilities have the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health without discrimination on the basis of disability. In this context, health professionals should be able to provide quality care in line with the needs of people with disability. This paper examines how Rwandan health professionals are empowered in terms of knowledge and equipment related to delivering quality care to people with visual, hearing, and speech impairment. This paper is framed around the capacity building theory. The study used a qualitative approach through semi-structured interviews with health professions from selected health institutions located in different provinces across Rwanda. The objective was to explore existing gaps in terms of capacities, facilities, challenges experienced by the health professionals as well as strategies for better service delivery to people with disabilities. Findings revealed strategic plans of the Rwandan health sector related to removing barriers that prevent people with disabilities to access health services are not accompanied by effective practice. Key factors that contribute to poor services delivery to people with disability included lack of knowledge and skills (85.5%), insufficient equipment and facilities (61.5%), absence of supportive partnerships (96%), financial constraints and negative attitudes from families and communities members. Hence, there is a necessity of joint efforts between key institutions including Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, National Council of Persons with Disabilities and other key stakeholders in mainstreaming disability throughout programs and projects. Additionally there is a need to promote training initiatives related to disability as well as providing clinics and hospitals with necessary equipment required for quality care to patients with disability. Furthermore, these practical efforts need to be supported by close monitoring systems. Lastly community education is crucial in promoting inclusive communication among community members both those with and without disabilities in all social settings.