Fueling Rehabilitation amidst Disasters and Pandemics

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Article 11 of the United Nations (UN) convention on the rights of persons with disabilities mandates countries to support persons with disability in disasters Such as pandemics.

In times of disaster like the current pandemic, Many people have experienced short or long-term disabilities due to inadequate treatment. If rehabilitation intervention is provided in time, they can reduce the probability of long term disability.

While giving therapy to persons with physical impairments amidst lockdown, I’ve witnessed physiotherapy playing an important role in fully integrating Persons with disabilities in society.

Ever since the Covid19 disaster settled into Account many initiatives like stimulus funds, relief food packages and online schooling to foster wellness of people during the covid19 disaster have been put in place and are progressing swiftly.  

However Persons with Disabilities especially those in hard to reach areas have been left out in accessing basic rehabilitation services like Physiotherapy in times of disasters.

Following the current Covid19 disaster, the health condition of Children with disabilities has deteriorated, due to limited access to rehabilitation services,

According to caretakers, kids Physical impairments that had learnt how to walk by themselves now need walkers, and some that could speak have retarded since there`s no interaction with speech therapist.

Many major health conditions such as Bone fractures, spinal cord injuries, amputations, and peripheral nerves are the common injuries during lockdown which can lead to long-term disability.

As we aim at achieve the sustainable commercial goals of leaving no one behind. We need to integrate Physical rehabilitation interventions such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, orthotics and prosthetics in natural/man-made disasters country response plans.

Protecting and promoting the rights of the vulnerable is at the core of disaster response. There remains an ongoing need to promote a rights-based model of disability at during times of crisis like pandemics, with adequate acknowledgement of the needs of those with newly acquired and pre-existing disability.

Policy makers should work hand in hand with existing local grassroots to strengthen their capacity and strengthen capacity of community infrastructures to make rehabilitation inclusively accessible.



Godfrey Nanyenya- Giving Therapy to children in slum communities


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