A team of disability-inclusive health researchers conducting the Missing Billion randomized controlled trial (RCT) under the Disability Research Group, at the MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit recently delivered a train-the-trainer workshop on disability inclusive health care for healthcare workers in Entebbe, Central Uganda. The workshop equipped five persons with disabilities and five health workers from Luuka district, Eastern Uganda with essential skills in disability-inclusive healthcare, effective communication, reasonable accommodations, referral and connection. 

Through interactive role-play sessions based on real-life scenarios, participants explored key challenges in engaging patients with disabilities. With expert guidance from Associate Professor Tracey Smythe, a Pediatric Physiotherapist and Disability Epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, alongside Dr. Andrew Ssemata, a Research Fellow at the International Centre for Evidence in Disability, and Abdmagidu Menya, a social science team leader at the MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, the trainees strengthened their ability on how to deliver the training to healthcare workers.

Equipped with this knowledge, the trainers, including clinicians, a laboratory technician, a nurse, and persons with disabilities committed to fostering a more inclusive healthcare environment. Their actions will focus on providing clearer explanations of available support mechanisms and advocating for improved accessibility within their facilities.

Voices from the training
Ssegonga Andrew, a clinical officer from Luuka, emphasized his dedication to driving change:

“I will share the knowledge from this training with my colleagues so that together, we may advocate for better accessibility at our health facility. By challenging negative attitudes and improving our communication, we can create a more supportive healthcare environment for everyone.”

Mwajuma Kwegemya, senior probation officer and focal person for disability, Luuka Local Government, highlighted the training’s life changing impact:

“Inclusive healthcare is not just about providing services – it is about ensuring everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. I have learned practical ways to advocate for accessible healthcare and I will empower others to do the same.”

Strengthening health systems for disability-inclusive care
This training is part of the study’s health systems strengthening interventions, which focus on capacity building for health workers in inclusive healthcare and accessibility audits of health facilities. These components complement the Tusobola Participatory Learning and Action for Disability groups implemented by the study, where people with disabilities identify and prioritize barriers to healthcare access, then implement practical solutions to improve accessibility and quality of care.

The Missing Billion RCT, implemented in Luuka district, aimed at addressing healthcare needs of persons with disabilities is assessing whether the Tusobola Participatory Learning and Action for Disability intervention, combined with health systems strengthening interventions such as health worker training and facility accessibility audits, can reduce mortality, unplanned hospitalizations and quality of life among people with disabilities in Uganda. 

The study is part of the Unit’s Disability Research Group and the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) theme. Learn more about the Disability Research Group  and the NCD research at the Unit