Disability Rights 4: The right to health

In addition to the human rights laws in the Constitution of Uganda there are several other rights granted to persons with disabilities (PWDs). These rights are given by law, in the Persons With Disabilities Act 2006 (PWDA) which is modeled on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Whether you are a PWD or not, these laws apply to you.

Section 7 of the PWDA says PWDs have the same rights as other members of the public in whatever health services they are using. Sign language interpreters will be available in medical institutions and sign language will be included in the curriculum of medical personnel. All drugs will be labelled in braille. All health materials and equipment that are required for your disability are tax free.

If you are a person with a mental health problem you are entitled to be treated with dignity and respect by the health professionals that work with you.

If you are a PWD, then any equipment or materials you need for your disability, like a wheelchair, crutches, walking frame or medications, are tax free.

From the Conclusion to the 2014 report Perceptions and experiences of access to public healthcare by people with disabilities and older people in Uganda: "Uganda must fulfil its international obligations and take progressive measures to meet the right to health for all its peoples, but especially allocate its limited resources to proactively support its most marginalized citizens."

This law is written in section 7 of the Persons With Disabilities Act 2006:

7. Health

(1) Persons with disabilities shall enjoy the same rights with other members of the public in all health institutions including general medical care.

(2) The purchase, importation, transfer or gift of health materials or equipment relating to disabilities shall be exempted from tax, duties, surcharges or levies.

(3) The Government shall ensure that—

(a) sign language is introduced into the curriculum for medical personnel;
(b) interpreters are included in hospital organizational structure;
(c) labels on drugs are pre-brailed.