Title
Developing Specialist Rehabilitation Services in Sub-Saharan Africa
Speaker
Abayomi Salawu UK
Type
Short Workshop
Short Description
Organised rehabilitation services are poorly developed in sub-Saharan Africa. There are ongoing efforts by various individuals and groups to change the narrative and support local agencies in developing rehabilitation services. This session aims to deliver presentations by rehabilitation medicine physicians from Africa and international agencies to explore various strategies in developing rehabilitation services. It will explore how the successful development of rehabilitation services in some countries can be leveraged to others. It will have a focus on Nigeria, being the most populous country in Africa and an economic powerhouse. It is envisaged that if services can be developed in Nigeria, there is likely to be a cascade effect to the West Africa region and the rest of the continent.
The session will explore the multifaced approach (including the barriers and facilitators) that are required to engender rehabilitation as a key component of healthcare delivery in Sub-Saharan Africa.
To achieve the aim and learning objectives of the session, the presentations will address the following key points and strategies:
- Rehabilitation Services Capacity Building: Community Health Workers (CHWs) are integral component of the healthcare system in most African countries and play a significant role in delivering physical rehabilitation services. They are involved in assessments, case management, health education, community support, health systems linkage, and administration. They deliver services through home-based, community-based, facility-based, or a combination of these modes.
- Community Based Rehabilitation: Hospital bed base is severely lacking across most African countries. Community based rehabilitation especially home based, is likely to be the cornerstone to successful development of enduring rehabilitation services across many sub-Saharan African Countries.
Innovative Technologies in Rehabilitation: With the recent advances in digital technology and telerehabilitation, African countries can leverage on this to further enhance the delivery of rehabilitation services. Exploring the use of affordable and locally available technologies to support the development of rehabilitation services and to gain access to international expertise through the use of communication technology. - Partnerships and Collaboration: The international Rehabilitation Forum has successfully supported the development of rehabilitation services in some African countries. Such partnerships with international organisations will support rehabilitation initiatives and training.