Dennis Ndlovu|Zim GBC News
People with disabilities in Zimbabwe have taken a bold step towards transforming the healthcare sector through the launch of the Disability Inclusive Score Card (DISC) initiative, a project designed to promote accessible, inclusive, and accountable healthcare for all.
The DISC project Team Leader Tariro Gurure together with persons with disabilities (PWDs) themselves, seeks to assess and improve how local health facilities cater to their needs, ensuring equal access, quality service delivery, and transparency in the healthcare system.
Implemented under the Inclusive Service Delivery Africa (ISDA) Integrity Ambassadors Initiative, the programme will train and empower PWDs to advocate for their health rights, and promote accountability in public health institutions. The initiative is supported by Transparency International Zimbabwe (TIZ) as part of efforts to ensure that disability rights are fully integrated into the country’s service delivery framework.
Tariro Gurure, voice for Disability Rights, said the scorecard gives persons with disabilities the power to measure accessibility and inclusivity in local clinics.
“The scorecard allows us to rate facilities based on how accessible they are from ramps to door widths and service quality,” she said.
“If a clinic is not accessible, it scores low; if it meets accessibility standards, it scores high. It’s a simple but effective way of holding service providers accountable.”
She, however, expressed concern over the slow pace of progress.
“It’s a work in progress, but there’s still a lack of urgency. We need to prioritise inclusivity and make sure that persons with disabilities are heard. I hope that in the next three years we see visible change within the healthcare sector,” she said.
Methembe Sithole, who has a physical disability, described the everyday challenges faced by PWDs in accessing clinics.
“In some clinics around Bulawayo, doors are too narrow and there are steps at entrances, making it difficult for wheelchair users or those with crutches,” he said
“Confidence matters for us but it’s hard to be confident when the environment itself is not inclusive.”
Sithole urged local authorities to strengthen their capacity to implement disability-friendly infrastructure, adding,
“Everything has to be inclusive. We need to make sure that no one is left behind.”
The DISC initiative, participants said, represents a major step toward ensuring that persons with disabilities are not just recipients of services but active contributors to shaping a health system that works for everyone.
Bulawayo Ward 2 Councillor Adrian Rendani Moyo commended the initiative, saying it complements ongoing efforts by the city to make municipal systems more inclusive.
“People with disabilities are an important voice in service delivery issues and development spaces,” said Councillor Moyo.
“It is not possible for a city that is serious about development to ignore such a voice because that is a very influential voice.”
Moyo highlighted progress made by Bulawayo City Council towards inclusivity, citing the introduction of a sign language interpreter during live-streamed full council meetings to ensure that citizens with hearing impairments can follow proceedings.
“This is one attempt at making ourselves an inclusive city,” he added.
“There are other issues that are still outstanding, but we are giving them serious attention, and I am grateful to the PWD community for extending a hand of collaboration.”
Councillor Moyo also said the city recognizes the need to expand access to inclusive learning environments.
“Currently, we have only one school that accommodates learners using sign language King George. Our plan is to work with partners and government to train more specialist teachers and have more schools where communication in sign language starts from the ECD level,” he explained.
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