Rwanda Decides: People with disability reiterate call for affordable prostheses #rwanda #RwOT

Some members of the electoral college that participated in electing the representative for persons with disabilities in Parliament, on July 16, appealed for the availability of affordable prostheses, an artificial body part, such as a limb, used to replace the damaged part of the body to help improve medical conditions for the affected person.

Vote counting had started by 1:00p.m in most districts around the country as elections for parliamentary representatives of special interest groups; women, youth, and persons with disabilities, concluded, on Tuesday.

The cost of prosthetic legs, for example, can vary significantly depending on the type and extent of the amputation. According to the National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), a prosthesis costs between $468 (over Rwf400, 000) and $936 (over Rwf800, 000) depending on the type, making them unaffordable for many people with disabilities.

NEC staff take oath before starining the elections on Tuesday, July 16.

The call for affordable prostheses was made as members of the NCPD electoral college congregated in Nyakabanda Sector, Nyarugenge District, in Kigali, to elect the representative for persons with disabilities in parliament.

The election results were scheduled to be announced later in the evening.

'I have exercised my duty to vote for the candidate I believe will best represent people with disabilities in parliament. Our desire is that, if elected, they ensure prostheses become affordable given that they are not even covered by community-based health insurance scheme â€" commonly known as Mutuelle de Santé to reduce the cost,' said Assinah Kampire, a voter in Nyarugenge District.

People with disabilities at the polling site in Nyarugenge

In 2023, the government said it needed at least Rwf7.5 billion additional financing for the community-based health insurance scheme to adequately support people with disabilities in getting the needed prostheses and orthoses.

Kampire said the cost of prostheses is a burden especially for people with disabilities who are not financially capable.

A step had been taken under Mutuelle de Santé to ease access to prostheses and orthoses for people with disabilities, but not all of them are covered due to the scheme's limited resources.

The elections for people with disabilities took place on Tuesday, July 16

According to the ministry of health, it was realized that if 'expensive' prostheses and orthoses were included in the medical package covered by Mutuelle de Santé without additional funding, the scheme would not be able to help its members to get 'basic medical services'.

'A person with disabilities is able and they only need assistance to perform different activities,' Jean Bosco Munyabagisha, another voter, added.

Fabrice Karemera, the Nyakabanda polling site coordinator, said: 'The electoral college comprised 19 people in Nyarugenge District. They all, including one visually impaired person, voted.'

A voter among people with disabilities after casting his vote during the parliamentary elections in Kigali on Tuesday, July 16. Photos by Dan Gatsinzi

NEC staff interact during the elections of members of parliament represent persons with disabilities in the Chamber of Deputies.

A voter is assisted to put his ballot paper in the box after casting his vote to choose MPs represent persons with disabilities in the Chamber of Deputies.