The Zambia Deaf Community Services in North-Western Province has welcomed the introduction of the Zambia Sign Language Dictionary, describing it as a significant step towards improving access to healthcare services for the deaf community. Organisation Chairperson Jonas Vundah…

The Zambia Deaf Community Services in North-Western Province has welcomed the introduction of the Zambia Sign Language Dictionary, describing it as a significant step towards improving access to healthcare services for the deaf community.

Organisation Chairperson Jonas Vundah told the media in an interview that the development marks a long-awaited milestone that the organisation has anticipated for many years.

Mr Vundah stated that persons with hearing have for many years faced serious barriers when seeking medical care which compromised the quality of care received.

“Many of the people who are deaf had to go to the hospitals and clinics without an interpreter, struggling to explain their symptoms, understand a diagnosis or follow instructions on how to take medicine and this has often led to misdiagnosis, fear, frustration and in some painful cases, loss of life that could have been prevented,” he said.

He stressed that the introduction of the dictionary serves as not merely a book but a tool for dignity, safety, and equality.

The ZDCS chairperson noted that the introduction of the dictionary is a clear indication that the government and its partners recognise Zambian Sign Language as a real and official language, and that Deaf people have an equal right to quality healthcare.

Mr Vundah added that the dictionary will empower health workers with knowledge on how to communicate directly with Deaf patients, build trust, protect confidentiality and ensure that informed consent is truly informed.

He said that the organisation wishes to see the dictionary extended to other sectors to ensure quality inclusivity.

“We hope this is only the beginning,We wish to see this same commitment extended to all other sectors, in education we hope to see the dictionary used to train teachers and support Deaf learners, In the courts and police stations we hope to see trained interpreters so that Deaf people can access justice, In employment, banking, agriculture and public offices, we hope to see sign language recognised and services made accessible,” he said.

Mr Vundah further appealed for wide distribution of the dictionary to the community especially to rural clinics and for continuous training of health workers stating that access should not end at the launch ceremony.

“We thank all those who made this possible, Together, let us build a Zambia where no one is left behind because of communication barriers,” he said.

And Ministry of Health reaffirmed its commitment to promoting inclusive access to health information and services for persons with disabilities, particularly members of the deaf community.

Minister of Health Professor Roma Chilengi who was represented by Director of Public Health Kakungu Simpungwe said that the government has made significant progress towards incorporating sign language into health communication programs.

The minister said this during the launch of the Zambia sign language dictionary in Lusaka last week.