People with physical impairments are entitled to using health facilities at least as
much as the general population if not more. Inadequate health services coupled with
the absence of a physical impairment-friendly health care system social environment
in the developing nations make it difficult for them to access basic medical services.
The study uses a qualitative research methodology to describe and understand rather
than to explain and predict access to health facilities. The objective is to understand
the current situation on access to health care for the physically impaired. The
rationale for the paper is to assist in understanding barriers to access health care
services for people with disabilities and to promote equity for all groups in society.
The study was conducted in Khomas and Caprivi Regions of Namibia. It found that
there were problems related to lack of transportation. Either there was no
transportation at clinics, from home to the clinic or if transportation was available it
was unreliable. The physical environment was not accommodating to the physically
impaired individuals because most individuals could not drive through the sandy
ground with their wheel chairs and therefore could not access health care services
easily. Communication with providers was also an issue when it came to individuals
with hearing impairment because they found it hard to communicate their health
conditions to providers (and vice versa) if they did not have interpreters of their own.
Study records that rising to the challenge of providing excellent and accessible health
care to persons with impairments is imperative as a matter of equity and recommends
health professionals to go beyond minimum requirements set by law to make
facilities and services usable to the greatest extent possible.