Women with disabilities continue to face numerous barriers to accessing SRH/HIV care, including inadequate facilities and negative attitudes from the medical staff. To tackle this issue, PSH, with support from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is teaming up with the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) to offer comprehensive, person-centred services. Their goal is to ensure that people who are often overlooked, such as those with disabilities, are included. PSH works closely with the National Council of Disabled Persons of Zimbabwe to mobilise people with disabilities to receive tailored care, including HIV testing, family planning, and cervical cancer screening. Sign language interpretation and accessible facilities ensure that their needs are met with empathy and respect.
Tanatswa M (pseudonym) is among the women with hearing disabilities who recently received customized HIV prevention services at the New Start Centre in Gweru. Tanatswa said she finally understood the benefits of PrEP thanks to a sign language interpreter. Lorren (pseudonym), a woman with a physical disability, received cervical cancer screening at the same New Start Centre and expressed heartfelt gratitude for the dedicated team’s assistance in improving her health outcomes.
For the first time, I feel like my health matters too, and there is a dedicated professional team that supports and stands by me,” said Lorren.
Population Solutions for Health (PSH) is dedicated to creating a more inclusive society through equity, universal access, and person-centred care. Our collaborative efforts have made a significant impact, reaching over 900 individuals with disabilities between 2022 and 2024, 78% being female and 22% male, with a majority within the 20-24 age range. While much has been achieved, more work remains to be done. We are dedicated and remain committed to ensuring that everyone has access to quality healthcare, regardless of their ability.