- Safiu Kehinde
The Public Services International (PSI) global union has called for the rehabilitation and investment in health systems across Africa.
PSI made a call at the 75th session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa.
Speaking at the three-day event held from the 25th to 27th August at Lusaka, Zambia, the PSI Health and Social Services Officer, Baba Aye, expressed concern over the poor integration of rehabilitation in health systems across the continent.
He called on member states to prioritise investment in the system, particularly on social care and community health workers.
Baba Aye noted that reintegration of the health system is essential for the rehabilitation to work.
“The situation analysis reveals poor integration of rehabilitation in health systems across Africa.
“This is of grave concern to PSI. In carrying out the strategy, we call on Member States to prioritise integration of rehabilitation into planning and funding, with investment in social care, decent work for community health workers and increasing the numbers and mix of rehabilitative health professionals,
“We also urge Member States to note the intertwined connections between rehabilitation and reintegration, without which pursuing rehabilitation would be futile.
“These include socio-economic determinants of health, such as safe housing, and secure employment (including reasonable accommodation), as well as the social connectedness necessary for psycho-social wellbeing and mental health, in the rehabilitation and reintegration process.” The PSI Health and Social Services Officer said.