Mr Mohammad Ameel/ WHO SEARO
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Strengthening disability Inclusion in health services

Disability is part of being human. Almost everyone will temporarily or permanently experience disability at some point in their life. An estimated 1.3 billion people – about 16% of the global population – currently experience significant disability. This number is increasing due in part to population ageing and an increase in the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases.

Disability results from the interaction between individuals with a health condition, such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and depression, with personal and environmental factors including negative attitudes, inaccessible transportation and public buildings, and limited social support.

A person’s environment has a huge effect on the experience and extent of disability. Inaccessible environments create barriers that often hinder the full and effective participation of persons with disabilities in society on an equal basis with others. Progress on improving social participation can be made by addressing these barriers and facilitating persons with disabilities in their day to day lives.

Regional Priorities and Initiatives

WHO works to fully integrate and promote disability inclusion in the health sector. It works to ensure persons with disabilities:
  • have equitable access to effective health services;
  • are included in health emergencies preparedness and responses; and
  • can access cross-sectorial public health interventions to achieve the highest attainable standard of health.
  1. As requested in the World Assembly Resolution 74.8, WHO launched the Global Report on Health Equity for Persons with Disabilities on 2 December 2022, which provides Member States and development partners with updated evidence, analysis and recommendations on disability inclusion in the health sector. The regional office continues to support its MSs in ensuring equitable access to health services 
  2. WHO strives to be an inclusive organization, providing an enabling environment in which persons with disabilities fully and effectively participate on an equal basis with others, and that disability is systematically integrated in all work of the Organization, as it advances its mission to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the most vulnerable. In December 2020, WHO has launched its policy on disability and an action plan for its implementation. These documents serve as the agenda for implementing the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy across WHO, which will ensure disability inclusion is consistently and systematically integrated into all aspects of WHO’s operational and programmatic work. The work in SEARO has already progressed well with its formation of steering committee and working group which has already met twice to spur the work in this area.

Our work

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WHO South-East Asia Regional status report on road safety: Towards safer and sustainable mobility

The WHO South-East (SE) Asia Region, home to over a quarter of the world’s population, faces unique challenges when it comes to reducing road traffic...

Status of drowning in South-East Asia: Country reports

Drowning is a significant public health problem. WHO has defined drowning as the “process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion/immersion...

Action plan for integrated people-centred eye care in South-East Asia 2022–2030

Vision is the most dominant of human senses. Eye conditions affect all stages of life, with young children and older people being most vulnerable. Women,...

Healthier populations and noncommunicable diseases: biennium report (‎2020–2021)‎

World Health Organization. Regional Office for South-East Asia. (‎2022)‎. Healthier populations and noncommunicable diseases: biennium report (‎2020–2021)‎....

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