In Kenya and Nigeria people with disabilities in poor urban areas faced greater hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020 governments set curfews and limits on movement, and many clinics closed or were turned into COVID-19 treatment centres. This made it harder to get care, caused longer queues and raised drug costs.
Poverty made things worse: many people already lived on very little money, and lockdowns that began in late March 2020 forced small businesses to close. People who traded lost income and could not pay for medicines or therapy. Researchers called households in Nairobi slums and found severe disruption. Advocates ask for closer, accessible services and better information for people with disabilities.
Difficult words
- disability — a long-term physical or mental difficultydisabilities
- curfew — a rule to stop people moving at nightcurfews
- clinic — a place where people get health careclinics
- treatment — medical care for an illness or injury
- poverty — the state of having very little money
- lockdown — a period when people must stay at homelockdowns
- accessible — easy for people to reach or use
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- What problems did lockdowns and curfews cause for people in the article?
- How can services be more accessible for people with disabilities in cities?
- If a small business closes, what help could the community give to affected families?
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