The Ministry of Health has lauded the historic launch of the National Disability Policy 2024 as a significant step in Kenya’s journey towards a more inclusive and equitable Kenya, where the rights, dignity, and potential of persons with disabilities are fully realized.
The Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga said that MoH has long been a committed partner in strengthening disability services and systems.
“Our engagement with the State Department and the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) dates back to 2008, when the Council formally requested the Ministry’s support in conducting medical assessments for persons seeking disability registration,” recalled the PS.
At the time, he admitted that the process lacked standardization, leading to numerous challenges like inconsistencies in reporting, varying interpretations across facilities, and limited capacity in some counties to conduct credible assessments.
Consequently, Dr. Oluga disclosed that over the years, multiple stakeholder deliberations and consultative forums were held to address these issues and lay the foundation for a unified approach.
According to the PS, this culminated in the development and rollout of the Disability Assessment and Categorization Guidelines in 2022 which now provide a standardized, objective, and medically sound framework for assessing and categorizing disabilities across the country.
“They have significantly enhanced the credibility, fairness, and efficiency of our disability registration process,” he added in a speech read on his behalf by an Assistant Director Physiotherapy Council of Kenya Douglas Kotut.
Further, in a major stride towards accessibility and equity, the PS revealed that the finalization of disability assessment reports has been decentralized to the counties which ensures faster processing and empowers local health teams to play a more active role in the registration and certification process, bringing services closer to the people.
In addition, Dr. Oluga stated that the Ministry is currently finalizing its Disability Policy and Implementation Guidelines to guide disability-responsive planning, budgeting, and service delivery within the health sector including enhancing access to rehabilitation, improving inclusive public health interventions, and ensuring the health system is responsive to the unique needs of persons with disabilities.
“I take this opportunity to sincerely thank all our partners including government institutions, civil society organizations, professional bodies, development partners, and organizations of persons with disabilities for your continued collaboration and support in this journey. Your input has been invaluable in shaping the direction of disability inclusion in Kenya,” he expressed.
“As we move into the implementation phase of this National Disability Policy, I wish to stress the importance of due diligence in the registration and assessment of persons with disabilities,” added the PS, advising that the use of online registration systems must be underpinned by strong verification mechanisms to ensure that only genuine cases are captured.
Dr. Oluga observed this process as critical, not just for resource allocation and accountability, but to ensure that support reaches those who truly need it.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s full commitment to the implementation of the National Disability Policy 2024 stating, “We are ready to work collaboratively with all stakeholders across ministries, counties, sectors, and communities to translate this policy into real and measurable improvements in the lives of persons with disabilities.
He also urged all stakeholders to continue working together to ensure that every Kenyan with a disability lives with dignity, access, opportunity, and respect.
By Michael Omondi
