A review of South African Public Healthcare policies addressing Service Delivery for wheelchairs through a Primary Health Care lens

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: In some areas of South Africa, people with impaired mobility are known to have difficulty accessing wheelchairs. This study aimed critically appraise public healthcare policies addressing service delivery in terms assistive devices general, and more specifically wheelchairs within primary health care METHOD: African that address device were identified thematically analysed using retrospective deductive document analysis. The themes used correspond the WHO guidelines for provision context guiding principles i.e., accessibly, affordability, acceptability, appropriateness, availability. An analysis was undertaken on how under these addressed RESULTS: Three i.e. National Rehabilitation Policy, Policy Framework Strategy Disability Services Africa 2015 - 2020, Health Insurance Policy. majority wheelchair provision. Guidelines non-discriminatory evidence-based availability all documents. Scant attention paid residing urban or peri-urban areas. There a paucity guidance who unable access services, those unaware services available not aware benefits an CONCLUSION: policies, viewed together, principles, although gaps observed each policy. A proposal emanating from this review update would deficiencies Keywords: devices, policy, mobility, disability, rehabilitation