The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) today signed an agreement to work together to foster diversity and equity through global initiatives promoting health and sport for everybody, everywhere.
The two partners will collaborate to
improve global access to quality rehabilitation and assistive technology as
part of universal health coverage; and mitigate existing inequalities in
relation to access to these life-changing services -- a prerequisite for equal
opportunities and participation in sports for persons with disabilities,
including for Paralympians and Para athletes.
“Sport and health are natural allies,
with mutually reinforcing benefits,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO
Director-General. “More than that, the Paralympic Games are an inspiring
statement of what persons with disabilities can achieve. We hope this
partnership between WHO and IPC will provide a platform for more persons with
disabilities to participate in sport, but also for demonstrating why universal
health coverage is so important, by ensuring all persons have the care and
technologies they need to fulfil their potential.”
Andrew Parsons, IPC President, said:
“This new partnership is one that will greatly benefit society, as sport is a tremendous
tool for ensuring persons lead active and healthy lifestyles. The IPC’s
partnership with the WHO goes beyond promoting physical and healthy lifestyles
and will also focus on highlighting the role assistive technology plays in the
creation of an inclusive world, especially for the over 1 billion persons with
disabilities.”
Mr Parsons and Dr Tedros signed the
MOU in Tokyo. The Paralympic Games will begin on 24 August and conclude on 5
September.
Disability is a global public health
issue but with a higher prevalence in lower-income countries with even less
access to health care and assistive technology. The World Health Organization
estimates about 15 percent of the world’s population live with a disability –
and this number is growing due to demographic changes including population
ageing and the global increase in chronic health conditions. Only 1 in 2
persons with disabilities can afford health care, including rehabilitation
services; and 1 in 10 have access to life-changing assistive technology.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed
persons with disabilities to increased risks of contracting COVID-19 and having
poorer health, as health information and care have not been provided in ways
easily accessible to them.
Michael Phelps Teaches Swimming
No comments:
Post a Comment