Message from WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi
On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December, observed under the theme Fostering Disability-Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress, we are reminded that inclusion is the foundation of sustainable development, social cohesion and human dignity.
Across the WHO African Region, more than 188 million people live with some form of disability. Communicable and noncommunicable diseases, malnutrition, injuries and the consequences of conflict all contribute to disability. Yet, those with disabilities remain among the most marginalized in our societies, often facing stigma and persistent barriers to health services, education, transport and employment.
The impact of exclusion is profound, limiting participation, deepening poverty and eroding wellbeing.
At WHO, we strive to promote, provide and protect health and wellbeing for everyone, everywhere. We know that a health system’s strength is measured by its ability to reach all people, including those who are too often excluded from essential services. Together with governments, civil society and organizations of persons with disabilities, we are working deliver equitable, affordable and person-centred services.
Through national health sector reviews, policy dialogues and strategic planning, we support countries to embed equity and inclusion across the health continuum, from community health to hospital care. Our approach is grounded in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which recognizes the right of every person to the highest attainable standard of health, without discrimination. This commitment underpins WHO’s Global Report on Health Equity for Persons with Disabilities, which highlights the urgent need to address systemic barriers – not the impairments themselves – as the root cause of inequity.
This year, the establishment of the WHO Disability Health Equity Network marks a milestone in this collective effort. The network brings together 147 members, including 24 from the African Region, spanning governments, international organizations, academia and civil society. Its mission is to strengthen collaboration, accelerate learning, and scale up good practices that make health systems more inclusive.
Momentum is also growing within countries. Several Member States are developing national disability-inclusive health strategies, in consultation with persons with disabilities – including in Africa. This is to ensure enhanced accessibility to the full spectrum of services, including rehabilitation and assistive technology.
As we mark this day, I call on all governments, partners and communities to translate commitment into concrete investment. We must ensure that policies, programmes and health facilities are designed in consultation with persons with disabilities, not merely for them. Their voices, expertise and lived experiences are essential to shaping systems that leave no one behind.
Together, we can build societies that are not only more inclusive, but also healthier, stronger and more just, where every person, regardless of ability, can thrive and contribute to Africa’s shared progress.
Learn more:
- Health equity for persons with disabilities: guide for action
- WHO Policy on disability
- The highest attainable standard of health for persons with disabilities
- WHO Disability Health Equity Initiative
Global report on health equity for persons with disabilities