1. Zahika Shah MSc. Global Health Bachelors in Medicine and Surgery
Inclusion of People with Disabilities in the Healthcare Policies in Malawi
Zahika Shah
MSc. Global Health
Bachelors in Medicine and Surgery

2. Disability Models Charity Medical Medium Term Social Human Rights
Theoretical underpinning of disability
Charity
Medical
Medium Term
Social
Human Rights
Something that a person is “afflicted with”
Condom Catheters
1 day
Health condition
Social construct
Human rights deficit
Recipient of care, treatment or protection
Requirement of only medical intervention
Indication:
Urinary Incontinence
Mainstreaming and inclusion
Equal opportunities and participation
Intermittent Catheters
4-5 Times a day
Indwelling Catheter
Upto 3 months
Condom Catheters
1 day
Indwelling Catheter
Upto 3 months
Suprapubic Catheter Upto 2 months

3. Practical Approaches to Disability
Disability Specific Approach
Disability Sensitive Approach
Twin Track Approach
Making PWD concerns and experiences an integral part of policy-making
Mainstreaming disability into every other sector
Twin track approach to reduce inequities
Recommended approach
Interventions for addressing specific needs of PWDs
Medical interventions to target a specific impairment
Adaptive devices like wheelchairs or hearing aids

4. Agenda 2030 Leave no one behind
Milestones in the Inclusion of PWDs
Adopted in December 2006
Ratified by 177 countries
Agenda 2030
Leave no one behind
Agenda Leave No one Behind
Agenda Leave no one behind

5. 3 Ratification of UNCRPD, 2007
Disability in Malawi
2 Recognition of Disability Rights by the constitution, 1994.
4 Disability Act, 2012
1 Establishment of MACOHA, 1971
3 Ratification of UNCRPD, 2007

6. Healthcare policies in Malawi
Essential Health Package (2004)
Cost effective interventions free of cost at the point of delivery
Health Sector Strategic Plan II (HSSP II) ( )
For provision of equitable health services
National Community Health Strategy (NCHS) ( )
Improving the livelihood of people of Malawi by their active participation in all the steps of service provision

7. Stakeholder Involvement
Methodology
Qualitative Grounded Theory Approach
Key informant interviews
Focus group discussions
Stakeholder Involvement
Qualitative Research

8. Focus Group Discussion Setting
Photos used with consent

9. Factors Undermining Inclusion in Healthcare Policies

10. Quotes from the Interviews
… The major challenge that we usually face is to queue, we wait in the queue for a long time.
Because I can’t see…” PWD1, FGD1
Most of them (blinds) say that we have to queue up, but that’s just a story” Health Ministry
...so we are talking about provision of either hearing aids or cochlear implants instead of saying that lets bring a sign interpreter. Because that’s not the solution for the patient. The solution for the patient is make them hear.” Health Ministry

11. Recommendations From theory to action
Sensitization and training of policy makers To ensure inclusive frame of mind during policy formulation
Review and Analysis of existing laws and policies For disability inclusion
Extensive and timely involvement of Stakeholders To address the needs of PWDs through expertise and experience
Adoption of Twin Track
Approach Disability specific programs & Mainstreaming disability
Modifications in the curricula of health workers
Integrate disability sensitization and basic sign language training
Identification of all PWDs Provision of special cards to all PWDs in order to recognize their needs.

12. Thank You !
Monkey Bay, Lake Malawi