Rehabilitation, a lever for inclusion?

In May 2023, the World Health Organisation (WHO) officially designated rehabilitation as an essential health service, highlighting its key role in patients' care pathways. Around 2.4 billion people worldwide face conditions that require rehabilitation care, but access to these services remains largely inadequate, especially in low- and middle-income countries where more than half of needs remain unmet. In addition, global crises such as conflict, natural disasters and pandemics exacerbate this situation, increasing demand while disrupting existing rehabilitation infrastructures.

To discuss these issues, a conference will be held on 21 November 2024, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm, at the Cercle Cité Auditorium in Luxembourg. It will be led by Gaston Schütz, Director of the Rehazenter, and international experts including Patrick Le Folcalvez, Gisèle Bankundye, a rehabilitation specialist from Rwanda, Fatima Nasser-Edine, an expert from Haiti, and Valentina Pomatto from Handicap International.

The speakers will compare rehabilitation practices in Luxembourg with those in low- and middle-income countries and highlight the essential role of rehabilitation in promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities. They will also address the challenges, successes and prospects encountered in various contexts and discuss the potential of rehabilitation as a lever for the emancipation and autonomy of individuals on a global scale.

German and German sign language translations will be provided to facilitate access for all participants. A cocktail reception will be held after the conference at the AKA restaurant, providing a convivial setting for further discussions.

The aim of this event is to raise public awareness of the global challenges of rehabilitation and to highlight its impact on the inclusive lives of people with disabilities.