Browsing by Author "Nuwarapakshage, N.S.R.P."

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    Accessibility to disability-care institutions and public health services in Ragama Medical Officer of Health Area
    (Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Pathirage, C.K.; Padmasiri, U.G.M.; Nuwarapakshage, N.S.R.P.; Panditharatne, W.D.; Hewawardhane, S.N.; Phuntsho, T.; Perera, K.M.N.
    Introduction: Ragama Medical Officer of Health (MOH) area is a developing centre for the disabled with the National Rehabilitation Hospital and the specialized disability care institution targeting children. It also hosts the main teaching hospital in the district and a school for disabled children. Objectives: The objective was to describe compliance of identified settings related to disability health services in the Ragama MOH Area with current accessibility regulations. Methods: This is the quantitative component of a larger study which explored accessibility challenges and perceptions of service providers and the clients as well. This component assessed identified 16 settings including all disability care institutions, public health care services and selected access-points in Ragama MOH area using an observational checklist based on ‘disabled persons’ accessibility regulations act no. 1, 2006’. Photographic documentation of accessibility was performed. Data analysis utilized descriptive statistics based on a score of 1 for complete compliance and 0 for non-compliance. Results: Accessibility for visually impaired and signage for the disabled reported the lowest compliance with a score of 0% across all assessed settings. Highest compliance was observed related to pathways and corridors which scored 93.3%. Specific shortcomings and strongholds of accessibility in each institution were identified. Only one institution specializing in children with disabilities displayed a total compliance of 61.11%. The road network accessing the institutions portrayed less than 5% compliance with the recommended standards. Conclusions: Failure to meet accessibility regulations as expected in a developing hub such as Ragama MOH area emphasizes the need for greater attention to disabled accessibility in the country.
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    Is accessibility to centers of disability care in the emerging hub for disability healthcare services of the Western Province truly challenging?
    (College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka, 2021) Pathirage, C.K.; Padmasiri, U.G.M.; Nuwarapakshage, N.S.R.P.; Panditharatne, W.D.; Hewawardhane, S.N.; Perera, K.M.N.
    Background: Ragama Medical Officer of Health (MOH) area is a sanctum of disability care hosting the main teaching hospital in the district, National Center for Children with Disabilities, National Rehabilitation Hospital and a school for disabled children. The objectives were to describe compliance of above institutions with current accessibility regulations and access-related challenges for the disabled community. Methods: A mixed-methods study was performed by qualitative evaluation of accessibility-related challenges and quantitative assessment of the aforementioned institutions and access-points. The qualitative component collected data from 6 service providers 4 disabled individuals and 5 community stakeholders sampled purposively by the research team. In-depth interviews used a semi-structured questionnaire guide. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis method. The quantitative component utilized an observational checklist based on 'disabled persons accessibility regulations act no.1, 2006' under the themes of public institutions, road network and access-points and accessibility for the visually impaired. Data analysis utilized descriptive statistics allocating a score of 1 for compliance and 0 for non-compliance. Results: Financial constraints were identified as the main challenge along with “Dependence”, “Gaps in awareness” and “Negative attitudes”. The highest level of compliance to the imposed regulations was only 61.1% portrayed by the institution specializing in children with disabilities. Accessibility for the visually impaired showed 0% compliance across all institutions. The public road network failed to exceed a compliance of 5%. Conclusions: Failure to meet anticipated excellence of accessibility in a developing hub such as Ragama MOH area emphasizes on the need for prioritization of disabled accessibility in Sri Lanka.