WHO Urges South-East Asia to Improve Rehabilitation Services

Saima Wazed Highlights Critical Needs

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called on countries in the South-East Asia Region to prioritize access to rehabilitation and assistive technology services. These services are essential for improving the quality of life and community participation of individuals.

Importance of Rehabilitation Services

At a regional meeting in Dhaka, WHO Regional Director Saima Wazed emphasized the critical need for rehabilitation services, including physical therapy, counseling, and mental health support. She stated, “Rehabilitation services encompass a wide range of essential support systems, from physical therapy for injury recovery to counseling for mental health and addiction recovery. These services are not merely about medical treatment; they are about restoring dignity, hope, and the ability to participate fully in society.”

Rising Need for Rehabilitation

Wazed noted that the need for rehabilitation is increasing in the Southeast Asia region, driven by aging populations and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Approximately 590 million people in the region require rehabilitation services, with the greatest needs for conditions such as low back pain, vision loss, fractures, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Challenges and Solutions

Primary healthcare facilities often lack sufficient rehabilitation services, and there is a significant shortage of healthcare professionals in this field. Wazed called for integrating basic rehabilitation into routine health services and expanding innovative care models to ensure equitable access, especially for those in remote areas. She also emphasized the importance of engaging and empowering communities to increase health literacy and demand for rehabilitation services.

Addressing Inequalities

Persons with disabilities face significant inequalities and are more likely to live in poverty and lack access to essential health services. Strengthening the rehabilitation workforce and integrating services with programs addressing NCDs, mental health, and healthy aging is crucial. Wazed also highlighted the need to improve governance, data monitoring, and financial risk protection, and to leverage technology like telemedicine and mobile health apps to extend services to underserved communities.

Regional Meeting in Dhaka

During the three-day regional meeting, officials, program managers, rehabilitation experts, international partners, and NGOs will discuss models of rehabilitation and assistive technologies. They aim to develop a ‘Framework on Provisioning Rehabilitation Services in the Region’ to guide member countries in enhancing these critical services.

Fostering Inclusion and Empathy

Wazed described this as a pivotal opportunity to transform health, well-being, and livelihoods, especially for the most marginalized. She emphasized the need to challenge the stigma surrounding disability, injury, and mental health issues, fostering a culture of empathy, understanding, and inclusion.