Honorable Chair, Estimated Delegates,

About 1 in 3 people worldwide live with a health condition that would benefit from rehabilitation. There is a significant unmet need for rehabilitation services, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where demand far exceeds the available workforce capacity.

A rehabilitation-skilled workforce, across all levels of the health system, is imperative to meet a population’s health needs.

Cochrane, with the support of the World Rehabilitation Alliance, calls upon WHO Member States to increase their investments in rehabilitation education and training, implement strategic partnerships, and foster recognition, integration and retention of rehabilitation workforce.

This will allow for more equitable access to the full array of rehabilitation services enabling people to function at their highest capacity.

Thank you