Framework on provision of rehabilitation services in the WHO South-East Asia Region
Overview
Rehabilitation is an essential health strategy for optimizing functioning and reducing disability, critical to achieving universal health coverage (UHC) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, in the WHO South-East (SE) Asia Region, access to rehabilitation services remains limited, fragmented, and under-prioritized. In response, the WHO SE Asia Regional Rehabilitation Framework provides a comprehensive, coordinated approach to strengthen rehabilitation powered through the leadership of Member States and coordinated with the partners.
“Rehabilitation integrated into health systems and available to all, at all levels of care, without financial hardship” is the common vision outlined in the Framework. It embraces the health system strengthening approach and acknowledges its crucial role in health emergency preparedness, response and recovery.
The Framework has six strategic areas:
- Reinvigorate leadership and governance
- Foster the acceleration of rehabilitation services at all levels of health care including primary health care (PHC) and community levels
- Optimize use of information and communication technology and digital technology for strengthening of information generation, research and service delivery
- Rebuild interdisciplinary rehabilitation workforce
- Make assistive technology available and accessible in rehabilitation services
- Secure sustainable rehabilitation financing.
The Framework highlights cross-cutting principles including people-centred care, equity, multisectoral collaboration, and disability inclusion. It advocates for integrating rehabilitation across health system building blocks – service delivery, workforce, health financing, governance, assistive technologies (equipment and consumables) and health information systems.
Implementation of the Framework calls for active leadership by Member States, coordinated support from WHO and partners, engagement of rehabilitation service users, communities and development partners, and collaboration across sectors and investment in rehabilitation services. Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are embedded to track progress and adapt actions based on emerging needs and challenges based on research findings.
By operationalizing this Framework, the Member countries of the SE Asia Region can reduce the unmet needs in rehabilitation, improve population health and well-being, and ensure that no one is left behind from an opportunity of healthy living and well-being.
