Patients with hearing impairment in Uganda always have challenges accessing medical services due to the lack of sign language interpreters in hospitals and other public institutions.
To access proper diagnosis and treatment for instance, people with hearing impairment have to involve a third party or communicate with medical personnel through writing.
Mathew Omora the Chairperson of the National Union of Persons with Disabilities in Uganda (NUPIDU) have for many years been advocating for mandatory recruitment of sign language interpreters in government health facilities.
Mathew Omara, chairman NUDIPU on other institutions training its’ staff on basic sign language
They claim that health issues such as HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections need privacy and their medical information kept confidential, but they are denied that privilege because the majority of medical workers do not know sign language.
Sharon Adongo, a 23-year-old with hearing and speech impairment has been encountering challenges in seeking healthcare services at both government and private health facilities within Lira City.
Through her interpreter Sharon Akwang, Adongo said “Whenever I am sick, I would visit the hospital with the hope of sharing my challenges with a health worker. But I would need to get a sign language interpreter and you know some health-related matters require privacy.”
Adongo said due to fear of being stigmatized as a result of contacting their interpreters, the majority of the girl-child with hearing impairment end up dying silently in the communities.
“Sometimes you will get to know that someone is sick after seeing the changes in him/herself. The signs and symptoms indicate that the person is sick for hiding the sickness due to the fear of notifying their interpreters and helpers,” she added.
Sharon Adongo on experiences of PWD’s in accessing health care services
To close the communication gap between health workers and persons with hearing impairment, Lira Regional Referral Hospital has started mandatory training on basic sign language interpretation for its health workers.
The 3-month program is to empower health workers to cater for people with hearing and speech impairments while they are seeking health services.
Nathan Onyachi, the Director of Lira Regional Referral said by building the capacity of more health workers, the aspect of communication gap between persons with hearing impairment and health workers will be addressed.
Lira Regional Referral Hospital
Onyachi said the training is a milestone at the regional hospital because it will extend patient care to all categories of people. He revealed that seven staff have already been trained in sign language.
Onyachi suggested that other health facilities across the country should do the same to bring equitable services to the people.
“I think the community for the deaf and the dump must be excited about this development,” Onyachi said.
Bonny Okoda, the sign language instructor at the regional referral hospital, urged more staff from the facility to pick up interest in learning basic sign language.
Okoda commended the staff who have embraced the training and requested more to join.
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