Lack of Mobility for People with Disabilities in Rwanda

In Rwanda, children with disabilities – especially severe ones – were hidden in their families for a
long time and received only the food and care necessary to survive. They were kept away from
educational opportunities and participated only to a limited extent, if at all, in the social life of their
families and the local community. Child killings were also not uncommon. These conditions
predominantly affected children and young people with visible disabilities – physical disabilities as
well as mental and complex disabilities.

Even before the outbreak of the Covid 19 pandemic, care for children with disabilities, especially in
rural areas, was not a high priority. The Covid 19 pandemic has placed additional demands on
health workers and health facilities, tying up specialist staff. People with disabilities and their care
are currently severely neglected.

With already sparse public transport reducing or stopping service due to COVID-19, children with disabilities who rely on this transport are unable to reach health facilities, even for basic needs or important medical appointments.
Official statistics state that five per cent of the Rwandan population are people with disabilities – the
actual number is probably much higher.
Rehabilitation services that could help people participate fully in society are limited.
However, one of the biggest barriers for children with disabilities in rural areas is lack of mobility.
This not only limits participation in education and society – it starts with the fact that children with
disabilities and special needs have more difficult access to diagnostic and support services
(wheelchairs, therapy, etc.).

Their disability also restricts them – especially in rural areas – from accessing health services at all. Many of them do not have health insurance and do not have a diagnosis of their condition or disability. Due to their physical limitations and the lack of infrastructure, it is difficult or impossible to visit hospitals and other specialised facilities.

There is an urgent need for diagnostics for patients as well as training for health professionals in
this area, prevention, early detection and treatment strategies including assistive devices to limit
the consequences of loss of function and disability. There is a need to enable the availability,
accessibility and affordability of (re)habilitation facilities for persons with disabilities.