In Kenya, people with disabilities (PWDs) face shocking levels of discrimination when seeking HIV and sexual health services. This harsh reality fuels stigma, leaving many without access to life-saving treatment and essential reproductive health care. But why is this happening in 2025?
Despite progressive policies advocating for inclusivity, PWDs continue to encounter barriers in hospitals and clinics, from physical inaccessibility to outright prejudice from healthcare workers. Many are denied services or face judgment, reinforcing harmful stereotypes that disabled individuals are either asexual or incapable of making informed reproductive choices.
The consequences of this discrimination are dire. Many PWDs, fearing shame and mistreatment, choose to avoid hospitals altogether. This leads to higher risks of untreated HIV, unintended pregnancies, and sexually transmitted infections within the disabled community. For those who do seek help, long wait times, inadequate sign language interpreters, and lack of braille materials make the process even harder.
Activists are now calling on the Kenyan government and health organizations to enforce disability-friendly healthcare policies. They argue that HIV and sexual health services must be inclusive, with properly trained medical staff, accessible clinics, and targeted outreach programs.
With Kenya’s commitment to universal healthcare, the question remains—when will PWDs finally receive equal access to life-saving medical care? The time for action is now!
BY Nairobi