The pandemic has placed considerable strain on health systems, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), leading to reductions in the availability of routine health services. This research found that people with disabilities in six countries – representing a diverse geographic spread, with different health systems and COVID-19 responses – all experienced additional difficulties accessing healthcare during the pandemic. These barriers ultimately led to decreased utilization of services which, in turn, negatively impacted their health and wellbeing. However, the paper also found that certain factors, including active and engaged Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) played a role in reducing some of the impact of pandemic-related healthcare access barriers.
Authors: Hunt, Xanthe; Hameed, Shaffa; Tetali, Shailaja; Ngoc, Luong Anh; Ganle, John; Huq, Lopita; Shakespeare, Tom; Smythe, Tracey; Ilkkursun, Zeynep; Kuper, Hannah; Acarturk, Ceren; Kannuri, Nanda Kishore; Mai, Vu Quynh; Khan, Rifat Shahpar; Banks, Lena Morgon
Type: Journal Article
Year: 2023
