African Ministers Launch Ambitious Strategy to Transform Rehabilitation Care
African health ministers have adopted a regional strategy aimed at fully integrating rehabilitation services into public health systems across the continent by 2035. The announcement was made during the Seventy-fifth session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa in Lusaka, Zambia.
Rehabilitation services are essential for people with developmental disorders, injuries from road traffic accidents, unintentional injuries, or mental health conditions. Currently, over 210 million Africans require rehabilitation, yet approximately two-thirds lack access to adequate care. Where services are available, coverage is often limited, and qualified professionals are scarce, particularly at the primary health care and community levels.
The Regional Rehabilitation Strategy 2025–2035 sets ambitious targets: 60% of African countries should have a national rehabilitation plan with dedicated funding, and 60% of primary health care facilities should integrate rehabilitation as an essential health service.
To achieve these objectives, the strategy calls on ministers to lead reforms in the health sector, allocate domestic resources for infrastructure and personnel, strengthen workforce training, include rehabilitation data in national health surveys, and expand service access.
Rehabilitation is not only vital for individuals’ quality of life but also offers broader benefits for the health system. Early and effective rehabilitation can reduce hospital stays, prevent secondary complications, and lower the need for costly treatments, generating savings and improving outcomes for patients and communities.
The adoption of the strategy signals a renewed commitment by African governments to ensure rehabilitation is recognised and prioritised as a fundamental component of universal health coverage.
