Universal health coverage is not possible without disability inclusive health systems. Persons with disabilities make up 16 percent the global population, yet many continue to face a range of challenges in accessing quality health care services. As a result, persons with disabilities have more significant unmet health care needs and poorer levels of health than the general population.
In a concerted effort to promote disability inclusion in health sectors across East Asia and the Pacific, members of the ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳¡¯s health, and disability inclusion teams met with representatives from ASEAN Disability Forum, Pacific Disability Forum, and Australia¡¯s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra for a one-day workshop.
The April event provided an opportunity to learn more about the different organization¡¯s disability commitments, policies, frameworks, and strategies, exchange challenges and lessons learned through engagement with countries, and look for opportunities for strengthening disability inclusion and rights in future health initiatives.