UN agencies launch policy to link Aids and disability, increase response to epidemic

By Mangoa Mosota

Three UN agencies have developed a policy to address the link between HIV and Aids and disability.

In a joint statement, UNAids, The World Health Organisation and UNHCR said although people with disabilities are found within the populations at higher risk of exposure to HIV, not much attention has been paid to the relationship between HIV and disability.

"This policy brief discusses the actions needed to increase the participation of persons with disabilities in the HIV response. It will ensure they have access to HIV services, which are both tailored to their diverse needs and equal to the services available to others in the community," stated the statement posted on UNAids website, last week.

An estimated 650 million people, or 10 per cent of the world’s population, have a disability.

In Kenya, there are about three million disabled people, with about 10 per cent (300,000) living with HIV and Aids.

Eliminate barriers

The policy urges governments, civil society and international agencies to eliminate physical, information and communication and economic barriers.

The policy also calls for efforts to help people with disabilities access health and social services.

This group of people, the UN said, are at the same or greater risk of HIV and Aids infection as non-disabled people.

Due to inadequate access to HIV prevention and support services, persons with disabilities may engage in behaviours, which place them at risk of HIV infection, for instance, unprotected sex and drug users sharing injections.

The UN said there was also lack sign language facilities or information in alternative formats such as Braille, audio or plain language.

Besides, service providers may lack knowledge about disability.