Barriers in Accessing Healthcare Services by Patients with Disabilities in Nigerian Hospitals

Abstract

Disability has turned several disabled individuals into popular patients easily to be identified, when moving or interacting with other members of society. Disability is not a problem associated with people of a particular nationality, but across the globe and sufferers are rendered incapacitated. The condition of these patients make them perpetual visitors to the hospital for treatment of the existing health challenge, injuries caused by accidents or new symptoms from other diseases. This paper employed qualitative research and analytical approach to gain an insight into the barriers experienced by PWDs in Nigerian hospitals. The source of data was solely secondary, accessed from various academic journals including online articles relevant to the issue. Findings revealed that systemic barriers and attitudes of the healthcare providers affect the access and quality of healthcare services received by PWDs. It was also revealed in this paper the level of healthcare providers’ adherence to the ethics of consent is abysmally poor. The paper recommends the removal of barriers through adequate training of medical staff, proper monitoring of activities, adequate distribution of medical resources, positive attitudes towards patients, among others.