• Lack of sign language interpreters at hosp. counters
• No ID card for persons with intellectual disabilities 

Persons with disabilities face issues in the context of the delivery of health services including the lack of sign language interpreters at hospital counters, difficulties faced due to high counters and surgical beds, the absence of toilets with commode facilities, privacy concerns caused by saloon-style doors in accessible toilets, and the lack of priority identification (ID) cards for persons with intellectual disabilities who find it difficult to wait in queues.

These concerns were raised in an awareness programme on service delivery for persons with disabilities, held on 20 March, at the National Epilepsy Centre of the Colombo National Hospital.

Deputy Health Minister Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni stated that disability should be viewed not only from a medical perspective but also from social and human rights perspectives. He noted that persons with disabilities still face numerous physical, communication, and attitudinal barriers when accessing healthcare services. He also highlighted the importance of providing health information in multiple accessible formats for persons with disabilities. He further stressed the importance of systematically sensitising healthcare staff to deliver services based on equality and dignity.

The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities, Sugath Wasantha de Silva pointed out that more than 1.6 million persons with disabilities in Sri Lanka still face physical and attitudinal barriers in accessing healthcare services. He emphasised that access to healthcare is a fundamental right linked to the right to life. He further proposed that a new perspective on disability, along with a specialised module, should be included in the curricula of medical and nursing colleges to ensure that future healthcare professionals are sensitised from the early stages of their training.

Officials noted that steps are being taken to develop infrastructure under World Bank and Asian Development Bank assistance, including accessibility features such as ramps, accessible toilets, and dedicated pharmacy counters. It was also revealed that pilot “Support Centres” staffed with personnel trained in basic sign language are being planned for primary hospitals. It was proposed that persons with disabilities themselves should be employed at these Centres. Agreement was reached to take prompt follow-up action within the Health Ministry on practical recommendations related to staff sensitisation and the standardisation of infrastructure.