The barriers to access healthcare services by people with disabilities: Policymakers' perspectives

Accessibility to healthcare is a fundamental human right aimed at facilitating better health outcomes for people with disabilities. However, the persistent gap between policy intents and actual implementation results in poorer health outcomes for people with disabilities, which is against universal health coverage.

This study explored policymakers' perspectives on barriers to accessibility to healthcare services for people with disabilities.

Through purposive sampling, qualitative, descriptive, exploratory research was conducted among five policymakers in a rural constituency. Each participant signed an informed consent form. The face-to-face interview lasted 50-60 min and used validated semi-structured questions, audio recordings, and memos to capture data. Manual coding, employing an inductive approach and categorisation, was conducted, resulting in the formulation of themes.

Two main themes emerged: Systemic and structural challenges to inclusive healthcare, and training and attitudinal barriers to inclusive healthcare, highlighting transport and infrastructure barriers, as well as insufficient budget because of ineffective health policy implementation. A lack of training and discrimination were key issues reported.

This study highlighted key obstacles related to weak policy enforcement, inadequate infrastructure, stigma, and funding issues, which impede accessibility to health services for people with disabilities in Namibia.

Understanding how policies are translated into practice is crucial for closing implementation gaps and enhancing healthcare access for people with disabilities.