Reconfiguring Rehabilitation Services for Rural South Africans with Disabilities During a Health Emergency: A Qualitative Descriptive Study

Litakazi Tekula (), Madri Engelbrecht and Lieketseng Ned
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Litakazi Tekula: Division for Disability and Rehabilitation Studies, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Tygerberg Campus, Stellenbosch University, Room 4006, 4th Floor, Education Building, Cape Town 7505, South Africa
Madri Engelbrecht: Division for Disability and Rehabilitation Studies, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Tygerberg Campus, Stellenbosch University, Room 4006, 4th Floor, Education Building, Cape Town 7505, South Africa
Lieketseng Ned: Division for Disability and Rehabilitation Studies, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Tygerberg Campus, Stellenbosch University, Room 4006, 4th Floor, Education Building, Cape Town 7505, South Africa

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 4, 1-15

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent hard lockdown in South Africa, implemented in March 2020, significantly disrupted disability and rehabilitation services. Persons with disabilities experienced limited access to essential Orthotic and Prosthetic services, particularly in rural provinces such as the Eastern Cape. This study aimed to explore how Medical Orthotists and Prosthetists reconfigured their services during and after the pandemic to inform disability-inclusive emergency responses. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted with 12 Medical Orthotists and Prosthetists practicing in the public sector in the Eastern Cape. Semi-structured interviews were conducted via MS Teams, and the data were analysed by using thematic analysis to identify key themes related to service disruptions and adaptations. Four main themes emerged: (1) disrupted access to Orthotic and Prosthetic services, (2) backlogs and limited services, (3) safety measures and adaptation control, and (4) lingering challenges and gaps. Service delivery was hindered by halted outreach clinics, limited access to materials, budget reallocations, and the deprioritisation of rehabilitation services. This study highlights the challenges faced by Medical Orthotists and Prosthetists in maintaining the functionality of Orthotic and Prosthetic services during the pandemic. These findings emphasise the need for disability-inclusive policies and strategies to ensure the continuity of rehabilitation services during emergencies.

Keywords: orthotists and prosthetists; COVID-19; rehabilitation services; Eastern Cape; reconfiguration; healthcare; South Africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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