Government Urges Inclusive Healthcare and Services for Persons of Short Stature

The Ugandan government has emphasized the urgent need for inclusive healthcare, education, and public services tailored to persons of short stature. According to official data from the 2024 Population and Housing Census, Uganda is home to 194,271 persons of short stature aged 18 and above, comprising 105,169 females and 89,102 males.

Speaking during the national commemoration of the International Day of Little Persons, the Minister of State for Disability, Ms Joyce Acan, highlighted that many individuals continue to face systemic discrimination, negative stereotypes, and inaccessible infrastructure.

Healthcare access remains a major concern. Ms Acan noted that some medical personnel lack proper training regarding the specific needs of persons of short stature. Women face particular challenges in accessing reproductive and maternity care, often encountering inappropriate assumptions, disrespectful remarks, and barriers that undermine their dignity.

To combat these challenges, the ministry has called for specialized training for health workers, accessible medical equipment, and respectful, individualized patient care. Similar reforms are urged within the education sector, where students frequently deal with inaccessible classrooms, bullying, and standard learning equipment that fails to accommodate their physical needs.

Economic inclusion was another key focus. Officials warned that traditional eligibility requirements for livelihood programmes, such as collateral or land titles, often exclude marginalized groups. Consequently, the government is promoting inclusive initiatives like the National Special Grant and allocations under the Parish Development Model (PDM).

Meanwhile, Mr Joel Musana, the executive director of the Foundation of Persons Affected by Dwarfism (FPAD-U), stressed the importance of accurate data to guide future interventions. He also cautioned against the demeaning portrayal of persons of short stature in local entertainment and music productions.

Read more about this story on the Daily Monitor.