By Mary Mwendwa.
Korogocho Health Centre in Nairobi County has received a donation of medical equipment that would help deliver quality reproductive health services to women with disability.
Speaking during a handing over ceremony Jane Nekesa, a mother of two with disability narrated her tribulations as a woman with disability and how it was difficult for her to access reproductive health services during delivery .”I was so scared about my condition and how I would deliver my babies in hospital given that there are no specialized beds for people with disability.The beds at the health centre were high and could only serve normal women without disability effectively. All my children I gave birth through the assistance of a Traditional Birth Assistant (TBA ) here in Korogocho. I plan to get more children and iam glad that this health centre has received a boost in beds that can be adjusted to a level which a woman with disability can use with ease.Thanks to the donors and County Government who have seen this need among women with disability.”She appreciated.
Nekesa called upon other people to appreciate the fact that people with disability need care and support and especially women who are viewed that they cannot give birth to children.”Our bodies function just like any other , we have conjugal needs like any human being.”She said.
Dr.Juma Sindani,Sub-County Medical Officer of Health confirmed the equipment which cost over three million shillings had been donated to help in the pediatric section, Incubator, beds, examination coaches and sterilization equipment. ”We now have beds specially designed to help women with disability deliver with ease,The bed is adjustable and therefore fit for any woman with any kind of disability.This donation has been made possible by Nairobi County, EU, Handicap international and other stakeholders.”
Dr .Sindani said the Health Centre has been in existence two years now and serves a huge population of people living in the nearby informal settlements of Korogocho and Ngomongo. ”Around 100, 000 people rely on this facility for health services and there was a big need to upgrade the maternity wing which serves women and under five children for free. This is the only health facility that has beds specially designed for people with disability, it is a big upgrade for Korogocho residents .”
He again pointed out other health challenges that are witnessed as a result of the nearby Dandora dumping site.”Pollution related diseases like diarrhea, respiratory system infections and skin diseases are some of the diseases that are recorded in high numbers in the settlement area.”
Jeroen Stol , Program Director, Handicap International explained how they work with people with disability globally.”We work at three levels; Rehabilitation prevention of injury and social inclusion.We are working on a four year project on maternal health in Kibera and Korogocho where a total of 800, 000 Euros have been donated by EU for support.
We need to understand that people with disability have equal rights to access services like health in a good manner.Simple adjustments like ramps in health facilities and beds which can be adjusted will come very handy for women with disability during delivery.We are here to deliver these equipment together with other partners .We have also noted with a lot of concern that most disabilities comes as a result of accidents. There is a need for these accidents to be prevented to reduce the rising numbers of people with disability.Globally we have a population of 50% of people living with disability according to WHO reports.
Emily Mamba, Nurse , Korogocho Dispensary said they get atleast two deliveries in a day.We are glad as a facility that now we have equipment that would help us deliver quality services to patients.We used to have a challenge of women with disability when it came to delivery.The beds were high for them and now we have special beds that can be adjusted.This will attract more women with disability to access maternity services in the facility.We also have other specialized clinics like diabetic, nutrition, Maternal and child Health among other services.
Joyce Kiarie ,Director , Light and Hope Disabled Children Centre in Korogocho highlighted the challenges people living with disability faced especially in the informal settlements like Korogocho.”We have had a big challenge of women with disability when it reaches their time to deliver, many would prefer to go to TBAs because of fear and inability to get friendly beds.Iam happy that this need has been addressed.”
Lincorn Kabanya, Coordinator, County Medical Rehabilitation Services said Nairobi County had supported fifteen health facilities to offer services to people with disability.”We have rolled out a programme where we are also educating County health staff on how to deal with the needs of People with disability.We still do not have clear figures on how many people are living with disability in Nairobi County but we are in the process of registering them so that we have a data base.
The handover ceremony that was attended by Korogocho residents with disability, administration officers, Nairobi County officials, Handicap International ,European Union representative and Light and Hope Disabled Children Centre among other partners.
