Date: Sunday 2 Nov. 2025

Id 43
Topic Community
Main Speaker Abayomi Salawu (UK)
Co Speakers Cynthia Udensi (UK), Aisha Animashawun (UK)
Attendees 30
Extra Fees 50 euros

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.

Chairs Abayomi Salawu, Paul Bolaji

14H Introduction: Overview of workshop objectives and topics.

14H05 Session 1 : Building Capacity for Rehabilitation Services: Training healthcare professionals and community health workers in rehabilitation techniques and practices. Dr Paul Bolaji, Dr Aisha Animashawun

14H30 Session 2: Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR): Strategies for integrating
rehabilitation services into community settings to improve accessibility and effectiveness. Dr
Zacchaeus Falope, Dr Cynthia Udensi

14H55 Session 3 : Innovative Technologies in Rehabilitation: Exploring the use of
affordable and locally available technologies to enhance rehabilitation services. Dr Salawu

15H20 Session 4 Partnerships and Collaboration: Fostering partnerships between
governments, NGOs, and international organizations to support rehabilitation initiatives. International Rehabilitation Forum

15H45 Q&A and Wrap-Up: Open discussion and summary.