Rohit Shishodia
Dec 2: A study conducted by the Christian Blind Mission (CBM), an organization working in disability inclusive development, in collaboration with Indian Institute of Public Health, Hyderabad, and Humanity and Inclusion, has revealed that 42.5% Indians with disability reported difficulties in accessing routine medical care during the lockdown.

Among those with a pre-existing medical condition (12.7%), 58% stated facing difficulty in accessing routine medical care. Therefore, persons with disabilities and pre-existing medical problems suffered significantly more.

“Isolation, abandonment, and violence were other worrying psycho-social problems reported, showing the lack of empathy during the difficult times. 81.6% reported experiencing moderate to high levels of stress,” finds the study.

Among the 34.5% who stated that they needed information on mental health issues, only 25.9% had access to such services. Only 20% were able to get regular mental health counselling or therapy related services during the COVID-19 outbreak and lockdown, and 11.4% faced problems getting their regular psychiatric medicines.

58.2% were unhappy that the therapy sessions for their child with disability had ceased during the lockdown. 84.2% stated that their daily lives had been impacted. The lack of mobility, both in rural and urban areas, led to distress.

The study was conducted to understand the level of disruption on the living conditions of persons with disability due to Covid-19 and related restrictions, and to generate evidence to be prepared for future pandemics or emergencies.

The study's respondents were 60% males and 40% females. The respondents had different impairments with the following stats- 51.6% with physical impairment, 16.1% with visual impairment, 19% with intellectual impairment, and 9.2% with speech and hearing impairment.

The study was conducted across 14 states in India- Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Assam, Meghalaya, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Maharashtra.

Prof GVS Murthy, Director, IIPH Hyderabad, adds, “People with disability suffered significantly more than the rest of the population in accessing health and rehabilitation care during the COVID lockdown. We need to be adequately prepared so that we do not comprise the health needs of people with disabilities as the country has committed itself to the goal of Universal Health Care as part of SDGs.”

Dr. Sara Varughese, Managing Trustee, CBM India, adds “Lockdown had a negative psychological impact on these differently-abled and one of the most common reasons stated was economic difficulties. Many faced difficulties in even accessing basic necessities. Incomes were compromised and even withdrawing their money from their bank accounts was a challenge.”

“Another major concern that was raised was that the needs of Persons with Disability were not taken into consideration while developing the guidelines on Covid-19 response,” he added.

Mr. Raju Palanchoke, Acting Regional Director at Humanity and Inclusion, said, “In times of crisis like Covid, we should not forget that persons with disabilities are diverse and have unique needs based on their disability and circumstances. We must recognize the differences and support them to take appropriate steps. Together, we can work towards and encourage an enabling environment where persons with disabilities actively participate, lead and enjoy their rights”.