ISPRM at the 72nd session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific

ISPRM has submitted statements to agenda items 14.2, 14.4 and 10 of the 72nd session of the WHO Regional Committee Meeting (RCM) for the Western Pacific.

Our representative, Dr. Reynaldo Rey-Matias from the Philippines reads the statement:

READ full document. 

Along with the International Spinal Cord Society, World Physiotherapy and the World Federation of Occupational Therapy we call on States to:
– Re-orient health decision-making to focus not only on mortality and morbidity, but also on functioning and quality of life. For this purpose, collect data on functional limitations and consequences among people living with NCDs.
– Develop guidelines for service provision and integrate rehabilitation at all levels of health systems, from primary health care to tertiary care, across the continuum of NCD care.
– Champion the WHA Resolution on Rehabilitation in 2022, which would provide the political framework for stronger commitments and wider coverage, increase rehabilitation financing, and enhance the WHO’s Rehabilitation 2030 initiative.
– Incorporate rehabilitation in the care of the ageing population with its rise in NCDs and associated disabilities (to be highlighted in this year’s International Rehabilitation week with the theme Rehabilitation for healthy ageing).

COVID-19 can cause long-term health problems and symptoms that interfere with daily activities. In some cases, these can persist beyond 12 weeks, now referred to as post-COVID-19 conditions, long COVID, or post-COVID-19 syndrome.