Medical Experts Call for Better Disability Care

Medical leaders and disability advocates in Kenya are calling on the government to significantly improve how health services are delivered to people with disabilities (PWDs), arguing that current systems remain deeply inequitable and fragmented. Despite recent strides, including the launch of a national Rehabilitative Services & Assistive Technology Strategy (2022–2026), many experts say implementation has lagged and urgent reforms are still needed.
One of the most pressing concerns is the severe shortage of rehabilitation professionals. There are very few physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and rehabilitation experts working across Kenya’s public facilities and especially in rural areas. Parents and disability groups are urging both national and county governments to hire more specialized staff—not just in large hospitals, but also in special schools and community health centres—to address capacity gaps and provide meaningful care.
Another key demand is for broader access to assistive devices through public health systems. Experts point out that although Kenya’s Social Health Authority (SHA) is expanding its benefits package to include assistive technology, many PWDs still struggle to obtain the devices they need, such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, and walking frames, due to bureaucratic delays and data gaps. They say the health system must ensure that assistive technologies are fully integrated into both procurement and reimbursement systems so that no one is left out.
Finally, medical experts are pushing for improved data collection and assessment mechanisms. They highlight that national statistics on disability are outdated and insufficient, making it difficult to plan for equitable resource allocation. They argue that better disability-disaggregated data—combined with stronger county-level capacity—will help drive better policy, financing, and service delivery for PWDs, ensuring that Kenya’s push for Universal Health Coverage truly includes everyone.