© HI
The conference was organized by Handicap International Belgium in collaboration with other HI’s divisions, and was partly supported by the Belgian Development Cooperation Agency (Enabel). The panel discussion was followed by an engaging networking session where participants could exchange views and further learn about rehabilitation during emergencies, hear from a specialist from Rwanda about their country’s perspective and visit the innovation booth to explore the OpenTeleRehab project and 3D-printed assistive technology.
Additionally, based on HI’s report titled “Rehabilitation Matters: Voices from Conflict-Affected Areas”, a photo exhibition portrayed the inspiring stories of three persons from Laos, Iraq and Colombia, whose lives have been transformed through rehabilitation services. The report and its dedicated website provide further insights of seven people who seek access to rehabilitation and assistive technology in conflict-affected areas, and recommendations to decision-makers.
© HI
The conference gathered an interesting audience of around 70 professionals, practitioners and other representatives and participants from diverse networks and national and international organisations.
The aim of the conference was to raise awareness on rehabilitation as an essential component – often overlooked –, of international development, humanitarian aid, global health, and social inclusion.
Globally, one in three people are living with health conditions that might benefit from rehabilitation. While rehabilitation and assistive technology needs are enormous, they remain largely unmet, especially in low- and middle-income countries, and conflict-affected areas. Over 50% of people who need rehabilitation services cannot access them.
The four panellists brought valuable insights in the discussion on rehabilitation and assistive technologies as important resources to improve the lives of those in need.
From the perspective of working with ministries of health, Wouter de Groote (Technical Advisor on rehabilitation at the World Health Organization) pointed out that significant challenges are the lack of understanding of rehabilitation and its return on investment, as well as the lack of capacity within ministries of health to have dedicated staff and units for rehabilitation.
On the state of research on rehabilitation, Peter Feys (Professor in Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, University of Hasselt) highlighted the importance of local expertise to deliver rehabilitation interventions and the need to expand health policy and systems research for rehabilitation.
James Popuras Aisu (Programme Officer at the National Union of Persons with Disabilities in Uganda) reminded us that the meaningful participation of users’ groups and persons with disabilities is pivotal in the planning and delivery of rehabilitation.
Finally, Isabelle Urseau (Director of Rehabilitation at Humanity & Inclusion) provided an operational perspective on how rehabilitation can and must be provided in complex settings:
“HI provides a sectoral approach, focused on rehabilitation, but also a multisectoral approach, as rehabilitation is not an objective in itself but rather a mean to foster a holistic, functional approach to enable social participation.”
Improving access to quality rehabilitation and assistive technology worldwide requires collaborative efforts, local expertise, and a clear will to place the users’ experience and the factors influencing their lives at the centre.
