By Lenah Bosibori
The Kenya Union of the Blind (KUB) has launched the Tuberculosis Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials in Braille to support visually impaired individuals affected by TB.
Speaking during the launch in Nairobi that also coincided with the International Day for Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), Dr. Chomba Munyi, Chairman KUB, said the IEC materials in braille represent a significant intervention in addressing existing information gaps.
“By making TB information accessible to visually impaired persons, we are empowering individuals with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their health.,” he said. “This empowerment is not just a benefit to individuals but a strengthening of our collective fight against TB and HIV.”
He further noted that the materials launched provide visually impaired persons with the tools to protect themselves and their communities, they also help them access information by amplifying their voices and leadership in the fight against TB.
People with disabilities, mostly the blind, often encounter barriers to information, stigma and inequitable healthcare systems. This lack of accessible resources disproportionately exposes them to TB infection and hinders timely access to care.
“Disability inclusion in TB and HIV programs cannot be a token gesture; it must be a cornerstone of our healthcare systems,” reiterated Munyi. “Moreover, the intersection of TB and HIV worsens these vulnerabilities, with persons with disabilities often lacking adequate support for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
According to the 2019 Kenya census, there are approximately 300,000 people in Kenya living with visual impairment. The census also reported that 2.2% of the population, or 0.9 million people, had some form of disability.
Munyi urged the Government of Kenya, through the Ministry of Health, to ensure that disability inclusion is embedded in all TB and HIV policies and programs. “This includes making healthcare services physically and socially accessible and equipping healthcare workers with the skills to provide disability-sensitive care,” he said.
He further urged stakeholders to increase funding for disability-inclusive TB and HIV programs. “I call on the government, development partners, and the private sector to increase funding for disability-inclusive TB and HIV programs, adequate resources are essential for scaling up initiatives like this one and ensuring that persons with disabilities are not left behind,” he added.
“The launch of these materials on this day of global significance is a powerful statement. It confirms the agency of persons with disabilities in shaping their futures and highlights the importance of their inclusion in every aspect of society, including healthcare,” he said.
On his part, Jackson Agufana the Chief Executive Officer KUB said that the materials in braille will help spread the message of TB to the blind people who are affected and lack information on how to go about it.
“We are giving these braille materials to give right to information to the blind people who can’t access information on billboards and Televisions, this ensures that the blind are not left behind,” said Agufana.
In her remarks, Evaline Kibuchi the Chief National Coordinator, Stop TB Partnership-Kenya said that there is increasing evidence of impairments and disabilities associated with TB particularly among people affected by drug-resistant TB.
“About 25% of people who get TB also develop TB-associated disabilities, there is a close relationship between disabilities and infectious diseases like TB,” said Kibuchi. “Persons with disabilities are more likely to live in poorer and crowded settings and therefore may be more likely to contract TB.
She further noted that due to stigma and discrimination, they may face additional barriers to accessing health care services. “Persons with disabilities systematically face economic and social disadvantages due to poor access to many social services accessed by able bodied people,” she noted.
According to her, they also face stigma and discrimination which is a great obstacle to access to health care among other social services. These challenges contribute to unhealthy lifestyle and poor mental health.
Winnie Ongoja, who is visually impaired, expressed that the materials will greatly improve on how they access healthcare information and address transport-related challenges.
“Accessing information in healthcare centers has been difficult; we have had to rely on others to share it with us. These materials are very helpful and they will educate us about how TB spreads and empower us to advocate for people at the grassroots level,” she said.