WHA76.6

Having considered the consolidated report by the Director-General; 2

Considering that the need for rehabilitation is increasing due to the epidemiological shift from communicable to noncommunicable diseases, while taking note of the fact that there are also new rehabilitation needs emerging from infectious diseases like coronavirus disease (COVID-19);

Considering further that the need for rehabilitation is increasing due to the global demographic shift towards rapid population ageing accompanied by a rise in physical and mental health challenges, injuries, in particular road traffic accidents, and comorbidities;

Expressing deep concern that rehabilitation needs are largely unmet globally and that in many countries more than 50% of people do not receive the rehabilitation services they require;

Recognizing that rehabilitation requires more attention by policy-makers and domestic and international actors when setting health priorities and allocating resources, including with regard to research, cooperation and technology transfer on voluntary and mutually agreed terms and in line with their international obligations;

Deeply concerned that most countries, especially developing countries, are not sufficiently equipped to respond to the sudden increase in rehabilitation needs created by health emergencies;

Emphasizing that rehabilitation services are key to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages), as well as an essential part of achieving target 3.8 (achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all);

Reaffirming that rehabilitation services contribute to the enjoyment of human rights, such as the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, including sexual and reproductive health, the right to work and the right to education, among others, and that Member States' obligations and commitments in this regard are consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;

Noting the Declaration of Astana, which emphasizes that rehabilitation is an essential element of universal health coverage and an essential health service for primary health care;

Recalling resolution WHA54.21 (2001) and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, which provides a standard language and a conceptual basis for the definition and measurement of health, functioning and disability;

Recalling also the role of rehabilitation for effective implementation of: resolution WHA66.10 (2013), in which the Health Assembly endorsed the global action plan for the prevention and control of noncommunicable disease 2013–2020; resolution WHA69.3 (2016) on the global strategy and action plan on ageing and health 2016–2020; resolution WHA71.8 (2018) on improving access to assistive technology; decision WHA73(33) (2020) on the road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030; resolution WHA74.7 (2021) on strengthening WHO preparedness for and response to health emergencies; and resolution WHA74.8 (2021) on the highest attainable standard of health for persons with disabilities;

Recalling further the political declaration of the high-level meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on universal health coverage (2019), including the commitment therein to increase access to health services for all persons with disabilities, remove physical, attitudinal, social, structural, and financial barriers, provide quality standard of care and scale up efforts for their empowerment and inclusion;

Noting that persons in marginalized or vulnerable situations often lack access to affordable, quality and appropriate rehabilitation services and to assistive technology, accessible products, services and environments, which impacts their health, well-being, educational achievement, economic independence and social participation;

Concerned about the affordability of accessing rehabilitation services, related health products and assistive technology, and inequitable access to such products within and among Member States, as well as the financial hardships associated with high prices, which impede progress towards achieving universal health coverage;

Reaffirming that universal health coverage implies that all people have access, without discrimination, to nationally determined sets of needed treatment, promotive, preventive, rehabilitative and palliative essential health services, while recognizing that, for most people, rehabilitation services and access to rehabilitation-related assistive technology are often an out-of-pocket expense, and ensuring that users' access to these services is not restricted by financial hardship or other barriers;

Noting with concern that, in most countries, the current rehabilitation-related workforce is insufficient in number and quality to serve the needs of the population, and that the shortage of rehabilitation professionals is higher in low- and middle-income countries and in rural, remote and hard‑to‑reach areas;

Stressing that disability-sensitive, quality, basic and continued education and training of health professionals, including effective communication skills, are crucial to ensure that they have the adequate professional skills and competencies in their respective roles and functions to provide safe, quality, accessible and inclusive health services;

Noting that rehabilitation is a set of interventions designed to optimize functioning in individuals with health conditions or impairments in interaction with their environment and, as such, is an essential health strategy for achieving universal health coverage, increasing health and well-being, improving quality of life, delaying the need for long-term care and empowering persons to achieve their full potential and participate in society;

Noting as well that the benefits of improving access to affordable assistive technology, accessible products, services and infrastructures and rehabilitation include improved health outcomes following a range of interventions, as well as facilitated participation in education, employment and other social activities, and significantly reduced health care costs and burden of care providers, and that telerehabilitation can contribute to the process of rehabilitation;

Further noting that rehabilitation requires a human-centred, goal-oriented and holistic approach, guiding coordinated cross-governmental mechanisms that integrate measures linked to public health, education, employment, social services and community development and to work in collaboration with civil society organizations, representative organizations and other relevant stakeholders;

Recognizing that the provision of timely care for the acutely ill and injured will prevent millions of deaths and long-term disabilities and contribute to universal health coverage;

Concerned that lack of access to rehabilitation may expose persons with rehabilitation needs to higher risks of marginalization in society, poverty, vulnerability, complications and comorbidities, and impact on function, participation and inclusion in society;

Noting with concern that the fragmentation of rehabilitation governance in many countries and the lack of integration of rehabilitation into health systems and services and along the continuum of care result in inefficiencies and failure to respond to individual and populations' needs;

Appreciating the efforts made by Member States, the WHO Secretariat and international partners in recent years to strengthen rehabilitation in health systems, but mindful of the need for further action;

Deeply concerned that, without concerted action, including through international cooperation, for strengthening rehabilitation in health systems, rehabilitation needs will continue to go unmet with long-term consequences for persons and their families, societies and economies;

Noting the Rehabilitation 2030 Initiative, which acknowledges the profound unmet need of rehabilitation, emphasizes the need for equitable access to quality rehabilitation and identifies priority actions to strengthen rehabilitation in health systems,