PS Oluga Urges Greater Support and Inclusion for Persons Living with Disabilities

𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲, 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚 -𝟏𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

Principal Secretary, State Department for Medical Services, Ministry of Health, Dr. Ouma Oluga, has called for stronger efforts to promote inclusion and dignity for persons living with disabilities, noting that stigma still affects many communities across the country.

Speaking at a side event convened by ATScale during the Devolution Conference 2025, Dr. Oluga emphasised the importance of mapping all Kenyans who require assistive technology so that appropriate support and interventions can reach them. He noted that current registration figures are lower than the actual numbers, partly because some families are hesitant to present relatives for listing due to the stigma surrounding disability.

While appreciating the progress made in training healthcare workers and distributing assistive devices, Dr. Oluga encouraged continued investment in understanding the full range of needs and securing the resources required to meet them.

He also highlighted changes in global health financing — such as the withdrawal of some donor support — as a reminder of the need for innovative funding solutions to complement government efforts.

Dr. Oluga further called for enhanced training and capacity building for healthcare workers to ensure they can effectively serve persons living with disabilities and recommend the most suitable assistive technologies.