Integrating rehabilitation into health systems

Rehabilitation is an essential health service, alongside prevention, promotion, treatment and palliation. However, in many countries, individuals do not have access to the rehabilitation services they need. The best way to ensure that rehabilitation services reach all those who need them is by integrating rehabilitation across all levels of the health system, as part of universal health coverage. In particular, it is essential that rehabilitation is integrated at primary health care level, bringing services closer to the community, thus reducing cost and improving the equity and timeliness of service delivery.

Rehabilitation cannot be scaled up alone, rather, the health system as a whole must be strengthened to better provide rehabilitation. This includes strengthening the different components that make up the health system, namely: leadership and governance; financing; service delivery; workforce; assistive technology; and information.

WHO is undertaking a range of activities to support health system strengthening for rehabilitation. Find out what work is underway by clicking on the health system components below.