{
  "id": 14649307,
  "title": "Disabled people say clinics give them too few nappies",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/disabled-people-say-clinics-give-them-too-few-nappies",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-15T08:27:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "GroundUp",
    "slug": "groundup",
    "url": "https://groundup.org.za/article/disabled-people-say-clinics-give-them-too-few-nappies/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Disabled individuals in Cape Town say they are receiving insufficient adult nappies from community health clinics. Angel, who has used a wheelchair since a 2015 shooting, gets two monthly packs of 14 nappies from the Kleinvlei Community Health Clinic but finds this inadequate. She must buy more with her disability grant, as the free supply only covers her basic needs. Disability Revolution, an advocacy group, reports that many people with disabilities receive only a single pack of 10 to 15 nappies per month, which is insufficient. The group has been requesting information on policy regarding incontinence products since 2023, but no publicly available policy has been established. A price check found a pack of 10 nappies costing between R120 to R190, depending on the store and brand. Angel, who needs to urinate frequently due to her condition, says four packs of nappies a month would be sufficient. She has been given 12 packs by her clinic for use until January 2027, but these will not last until her next appointment. Othandwayo Rangula, another wheelchair user, also receives only two packs of 14 nappies monthly and finds this insufficient. The Western Cape Department of Health's policy allows up to three incontinence products per person per day for up to six months. The city's Mayco member for community services and health, Francine Higham, says clients are assessed by a clinician to determine the appropriate provision of products. The City is working on a written guideline covering eligibility, assessment, and provision based on clinical need. However, senior researcher Adam Narain from #UniteBehind notes that after three years of asking, there is still no written policy on nappy provision, and different clinics provide varying amounts of products. He stresses the importance of policies taking public comment into account to ensure people who rely on these services receive what they need.",
  "summary": "Activists demand clearer policies from Western Cape government and City of Cape Town",
  "key_points": [
    "Disabled Cape Town residents say clinics provide too few adult nappies.",
    "Many with disabilities receive only 10-15 nappies per month, insufficient.",
    "Western Cape Health policy allows up to 3 incontinence products daily for 6 months."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}