| Dokumendiregister | Sotsiaalministeerium |
| Viit | 1.4-2/2118-1 |
| Registreeritud | 03.09.2026 |
| Sünkroonitud | 04.09.2026 |
| Liik | Sissetulev kiri |
| Funktsioon | 1.4 EL otsustusprotsess ja rahvusvaheline koostöö |
| Sari | 1.4-2 Rahvusvahelise koostöö korraldamisega seotud kirjavahetus (Arhiiviväärtuslik) |
| Toimik | 1.4-2/2026 |
| Juurdepääsupiirang | Avalik |
| Adressaat | WHO Regional Office for Europe |
| Saabumis/saatmisviis | WHO Regional Office for Europe |
| Vastutaja | Agne Nettan-Sepp (Sotsiaalministeerium, Kantsleri vastutusvaldkond, Euroopa Liidu ja väliskoostöö osakond) |
| Originaal | Ava uues aknas |
| Taotle dokumendi eemaldamist või parandamist |
Global Reporting on Rehabilitation Indicators
WHO Member States data collection and reporting
November 2026 – January 2027
Concept note
Background
In 2021, an estimated 2.6 billion individuals were living with a health condition that would benefit
from rehabilitation, contributing to 310 million years of healthy life lost due to disability (YLD). This
number has increased by 63% from 1990 to 20191. At least 2.5 billion people need assistive products
and this is expected to increase to 3.5 billion by 20502. Many people, however, have limited access
to the required rehabilitation services, in particular in low- and middle-income countries3.
In 2017, WHO launched Rehabilitation2030, a call for concerted action to address the profound
unmet need for rehabilitation services. This initiative sets in stone 10 priority domains of action to
strengthen health systems for rehabilitation. It was followed by the endorsement of the World
Health Assembly (WHA) Resolution 76.6 “Strengthening rehabilitation in health systems” in May
2023, which urges countries “to expand rehabilitation to all levels of care, from primary to tertiary,
and to ensure the availability and affordability of quality and timely rehabilitation services”4. The
resolution also requests the Director-General of WHO to develop, with input from Member States, a
baseline report with information on the capacity of Member States to respond to existing and
foreseeable rehabilitation needs, to report on the implementation of the resolution at the World
Health Assembly and to develop a feasible global health system rehabilitation target and indicator
for effective coverage of rehabilitation services.
Global Rehabilitation Indicators
The WHO Rehabilitation Programme has conducted a Member State consultation from November
2024 till March 2025 for the development of a set of indicators for global reporting on rehabilitation,
including for assistive products provision. The data collected and reported for these indicators will
form the basis for developing the WHO global baseline report requested by WHA Resolution 76.6
and for reporting on the implementation of the Resolution. In an effort to maximize international
1 Cieza A, Causey K, Kamenov K, et al. Global estimates of the need for rehabilitation based on the Global Burden of Disease study 2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Lancet. 2021: 396(10267):2006-17. 2 Global report on assistive technology. World health Organization, Geneva. May 2022. 3 Kamenov K, Mills JA, Chatterji S, et al. Needs and unmet needs for rehabilitation services: a scoping review. Disabil Rehabil. 2019;41(10):1227-37. 4 https://www.who.int/news/item/27-05-2023-landmark-resolution-on-strengthening-rehabilitation-in-health- systems
comparability, this set of rehabilitation indicators is focusing on the reporting for core aspects of
health system building blocks (Annex 1).
Mechanism for WHO Member States data collection and reporting
Member States, are invited to collect, report, and validate the data that are required to populate the
Global Rehabilitation Indicators. The mechanism for WHO Member States data collection and
reporting will include the following steps:
1/ Country readiness: regional webinars will be organized by WHO in October 2026 to present about
the Global Rehabilitation Indicators and the survey, timeline, the reporting infrastructure and
available guidance (including a manual for reporting and follow-up clinics to provide closer guidance
to countries where needed).
2/ Country data collection: country data collection for the rehabilitation indicators occurs from
November 2026 till January 2027. Dependent on country requirements for data collection, WHO
guidance can be made available.
3/ Country data reporting and validation: Ministries of Health are invited to access their
corresponding country reporting form in Dataform. Following data submission by latest January
2027, data assessment and cleaning will be done by WHO. Data sources for verification will be
requested. Validation happens by the Ministry of Health focal point following WHO’s assessment
and returning the submitted and cleaned data for validation.
Objectives
1. To explain the process of data collection and reporting for the Global Rehabilitation Indicators,
and learn about country requirements
2. To support Member States with the data collection and reporting process
3. To validate reported data
Member State request
Member States, are invited to collect, report, and validate the data that are required to populate the
Global Rehabilitation Indicators. WHO, through its corresponding regional and country offices, is
kindly requesting Ministries of Health to assign a focal person by latest September 2026. This person
would be responsible for reporting on the global rehabilitation survey and will be invited to a
preparatory webinar in October 2026.
Saatja: EURO DAR <[email protected]>
Saadetud: 02.09.2026 17:48
Adressaat: Helen Sõber - SOM <[email protected]>
Koopia: Agne Nettan-Sepp - SOM <[email protected]>; Info - SOM
<[email protected]>; <[email protected]>; <[email protected]>;
<[email protected]>; KÖHLER, Kristina <[email protected]>; KIANI,
Shirin <[email protected]>
Teema: Invite to nominate / WHO global survey for rehabilitation
indicators EST
Tähelepanu! Tegemist on välisvõrgust saabunud kirjaga.Tundmatu saatja
korral palume linke ja faile mitte avada.Dear National Counterpart,
Please find attached nomination letter for your kind attention, noting
that the deadline for nomination is 25th of September 2026.
Thank you and best regards,
Health Workforce and Service Delivery Programme
WHO Regional Office for Europe
Copenhagen, Denmark
Web:
Follow WHO on | | |
UN City, Marmorvej 51 Tel.: +45 45 33 70 00 Email: [email protected] DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø Denmark
Fax: +45 45 33 70 01 Website: https://www.who.int/europe
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ
WELTGESUNDHEITSORGANISATION ВСЕМИРНАЯ ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯ ЗДРАВООХРАНЕНИЯ
Date: 1 September 2026
Ms Helen Sõber
Adviser
European Union Affairs and International Co-
operation Department
Ministry of Social Affairs
Suur-Ameerika 1
10122 Tallinn
Estonia
REGIONAL OFFICE FOR EUROPE BUREAU RÉGIONAL DE L’EUROPE
REGIONALBÜRO FÜR EUROPA ЕВРОПЕЙСКОЕ РЕГИОНАЛЬНОЕ БЮРО
Head office:
UN City, Marmorvej 51, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
Tel.: +45 45 33 70 00; Fax: +45 45 33 70 01
Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.who.int/europe
Our reference: Notre référence: Unser Zeichen: См. наш номер:
Your reference: Votre référence: Ihr Zeichen: На Ваш номер:
Dear Ms Sõber,
Request for nomination of a rehabilitation focal point to complete the
WHO global survey for rehabilitation indicators
We would like to bring your attention to the initiative “Rehabilitation 2030: a call for action” launched by
WHO in 2017 to improve governance and investment in rehabilitation and which lead Member States at the
World Health Assembly to unanimously endorse the Resolution WHA 76.6 ‘Strengthening Rehabilitation in
Health Systems’. The resolution requests the Director-General of WHO ‘to develop, with input from Member
States, a baseline report with information on the capacity of Member States to respond to existing and
foreseeable rehabilitation needs, and to report on progress on the implementation of the Resolution to the
World Health Assembly in 2026, 2028, and 2030’.
Following this request, the Department for NCD and Mental Health at WHO Headquarters conducted a global
consultation with Member States to select rehabilitation indicators for global reporting. We are pleased to
inform you that a global effort will now be organized in November 2026-January 2027 for the reporting on a
survey to populate the set of global rehabilitation indicators. An effort has been made to align with existing
regional frameworks and indicators for rehabilitation. A concept note for this activity, the survey sample, and
the global rehabilitation indicators can be found enclosed.
To participate, we would appreciate if you could kindly nominate a focal person with knowledge on
rehabilitation and who will be responsible for responding to the global rehabilitation survey on behalf of your
member state. We look forward to receiving your nomination with (1) name, (2) title/position, and (3) email
address/contact details, at your earliest convenience and no later than September 25th 2026.
Shirin Kiani, Technical Officer, Rehabilitation & Disability Inclusion, is responsible for this activity - if you
can kindly provide your nominee to her at [email protected] with [email protected] in copy that would be most
appreciated.
Sincerely yours,
Dr Natasha Azzopardi Muscat
Director, Division of Health Systems
– 2 –
Encls:
Concept Note and global rehabilitation indicators
Global Status Report on Rehabilitation (2028) Questionnaire
Copy for information to:
Ms Agne Nettan-Sepp, Head, European Union Affairs and International Co-operation Department, Ministry of
Social Affairs, Suur-Ameerika 1, 10129 Tallinn, Estonia
H.E. Ms Riia Salsa-Audiffren, Ambassador Representative of the Republic of Estonia, Permanent Mission of
the Republic of Estonia to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, Chemin
du Petit-Saconnex 28A, CH-1209 Genève, Switzerland
H.E. Mr Andre Pung, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Republic of Estonia,
Frederiksgade 19, 4th floor, 1265 Copenhagen K, Denmark
Ms Kristina Köhler, Head of Office, WHO Country Office, Estonia, Paldiski Road 81, 10617 Tallinn, Estonia
Global Status Report on Rehabilitation (2028) Questionnaire
English version: Original
June 16, 2026
Thank you for contributing to the first World Health Organization (WHO) Global status
report on Rehabilitation and monitoring of the implementation of World Health
Assembly Resolution 76.6 ‘Strengthening rehabilitation in health systems’. Your
responses will be reviewed for completeness and coherence, and any changes made
will be shared with you, thus becoming the official response from the country1.
Responses should relate to the situation in the country in 20262 or the most recent
year for which data are available, except as otherwise noted.
The questionnaire below has been developed to populate a set of eight WHO Global
Rehabilitation Indicators. In addition, there are a small number of questions to
support regional reporting requirements and deepen WHO’s insights for the global
status report. Information blurbs are provided throughout the questionnaire to
support the response process. Most questions are derived from existing WHO
documents, including the Rehabilitation Indicator Menu (RIM, second edition3), the
Rehabilitation in health systems: Guide for Action (RGA, 20194), and the Guidance on
the analysis and use of routine health information systems: rehabilitation module
(RHIS-Rehabilitation, 20225).
This questionnaire is available in Dataform in the following languages: Arabic,
Chinese, English, French, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
1 For the purposes of this questionnaire, “country” refers to the responding WHO Member State. 2 Gregorian calendar years are used in the questionnaire. If the country uses a different calendar, please convert to Gregorian year. For conversion, you can use Calendar Converter. 3 Rehabilitation indicator menu: a tool accompanying the Framework for Rehabilitation Monitoring and Evaluation (FRAME), second edition. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2023. Available in English, Chinese, Arabic, French and Spanish. 4 Rehabilitation in health systems: Guide for Action. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2019. Available in English,
Spanish and French. 5 Guidance on the analysis and use of routine health information systems: rehabilitation module. Geneva: World
Health Organization; 2022. Available in English, Spanish, Portuguese and French.
2
WHO sincerely appreciates your contribution, noting that it will be officially
acknowledged in the report.
3
Sections and questions Possible answers A Leadership and governance of rehabilitation A1 Does the Ministry of Health have a designated focal person for
rehabilitation?
Yes/No/Do not know
A2 Does a national mechanism for National Rehabilitation Coordination exist, including Assistive Technology coordination6?
Yes/No/Do not know
A3 Is there a current governmental national health plan (health sector strategic plan)7?
Yes/No/Do not know
A3.y If yes, does it include rehabilitation at the level of an activity8? Yes/No/Do not know
A4 Does the country have a governmental national rehabilitation
strategy or action plan (rehabilitation plan)9?
Yes/No/Not applicable/Do not know
B Health emergency preparedness and response for
rehabilitation
B1 Is rehabilitation explicitly integrated in a national health emergency management policy or strategy document10?
Yes/No/Do not know
In terms of preparedness planning for health emergencies
B2 Has a risk assessment been undertaken within the past 5 years that
considers the impact of different hazards on key rehabilitation services11?
Yes/No/Do not know
B3 Is there a designated role with responsibility for leading rehabilitation emergency preparedness and response12?
Yes/No/Do not know
B4 Are rehabilitation consumables and assistive product supply chains
evaluated against anticipated surges in emergency needs13?
Yes/No/Do not know
B5 Are key rehabilitation spaces included in risk assessments that
consider the impacts on infrastructure of major hazards14?
Yes/No/Do not know
6 These may include dedicated steering and advisory committees, coordination and other bodies, and ministry
mechanisms (such as technical working groups) and processes that provide coordination, governance, oversight and stewardship of rehabilitation. 7 National refers to population coverage whereas government refers to ownership. If the national health sector plan is under review or in the process of being updated/renewed, the most recent existing national health sector plan is assessed. This does not include internal operational plans and excludes national plans for dedicated
health programs such as mental health, older people, vision, hearing, noncommunicable disease and early childhood/nurturing care. 8 This means rehabilitation is included in the actions of the current national health sector (strategic) plan – i.e. it is not only mentioned in the background text. 9 Select “Yes” if a governmental national rehabilitation strategy or action plan exists, regardless of the existence of a national health plan/health sector strategic plan. Select Not Applicable if all aspects of rehabilitation care, including legislation, policies, regulation, services coordination and financing, are integrated within the national
health plan. This is more likely to be the case in a more mature/advanced health system. If this is the case, then a specific national plan for rehabilitation may not be required. 10 A national health emergency preparedness plan is a strategic framework designed to strengthen a country’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to health threats. This is typically developed by the Ministry of Health together with other appropriate government ministries. 11 This assessment includes considerations of increases in rehabilitation needs due to hazards that create trauma, burns or critical illness, and threats to essential rehabilitation services. 12 A named rehabilitation focal point (typically within MoH) that has responsibility for integrating rehabilitation
into emergency preparedness and leading rehabilitation responses in a dedicated role within a health emergency operations centre (HEOC). This role should be formally recognised in any incident management structure. 13 This includes an analysis of supply chains to identify any shortfalls in equipment in an emergency. Where shortfalls or barriers exist, mitigations may include stockpiling, increasing stock rotations or reaching pre- agreements with suppliers for rapid stock replenishment. 14 This means the assessment of rehabilitation facilities for the vulnerability to local hazards with appropriate mitigation measures in place, and includes basic universal safety precautions such as fire safety measures and
evacuation plans.
4
B6 Are key rehabilitation services and capacities mapped out15? Yes/No/Do not know
B7 Is there a plan to mobilise rehabilitation personnel with expertise in responding to the needs of identified high risk hazards16?
Yes/No/Do not know
B8 Have essential rehabilitation services developed plans for continuity of services in the event of major disruption services17?
Yes/No/Do not know
C Financing of rehabilitation
C0 What is the name of your country’s largest public sector health
financing scheme18?
Name (free text) ….
C01 What percentage of the population is covered by this health
financing scheme?
(free text) percent
Please indicate which of the following rehabilitation interventions are included in this health financing scheme:
-For neurological conditions
C1 Supervised muscle strengthening exercises Yes/No/Do not know
C2 Provision of orthotics (splints, braces, casts etc) Yes/No/Do not know
C3 Botulinum toxin for spasticity management Yes/No/Do not know
C4 Provision of a motorized wheelchair (also called, electric wheelchair, electric-powered wheelchair, or powerchair)
Yes/No/Do not know
-Following lower limb amputation
C5 Residual limb and stump care (including skin care, and education on positioning)
Yes/No/Do not know
C6 Provision and training of lower limb prosthesis Yes/No/Do not know
C7 Provision of basic mobility devices (e.g. crutches, wheelchair) Yes/No/Do not know
C8 Rehabilitation programs for amputees with prosthesis to return to sports and/or work
Yes/No/Do not know
-For older adult with limited mobility
C9 Multimodal exercise programmes including muscle strengthening exercises, aerobic training, balance training, flexibility training
Yes/No/Do not know
C10 Provision of assistive device Yes/No/Do not know
C11 Home assessment and environmental adaptations for mobility and
safety
Yes/No/Do not know
-For hearing deficits
C12 Hearing aid provision Yes/No/Do not know
C13 Rehabilitative therapy (e.g. auditory-verbal therapy) Yes/No/Do not know
-For depression in adults
C14 Full course of psychotherapy (e.g., CBT, interpersonal therapy) by a psychologist or psychiatrist
Yes/No/Do not know
C15 Multi-disciplinary rehabilitation specialist service Yes/No/Do not know
15 This includes mapping of key rehabilitation services potentially involved in caring for patients in an emergency,
including details of service capacities. 16 This means a plan to mobilise additional rehabilitation staff to key services in the event of surge in needs. It can take the form of collaborative agreements between different services, the development of rosters, and the formalisation of rehabilitation as a component of national emergency medical teams. 17 This means a plan is developed to ensure the availability of key rehabilitation services in the event of major disruption. It may include a variety of methods, including telerehabilitation. 18 This means the largest public-sector health-financing/insurance scheme. It is often called a Universal Health
Coverage (UHC) scheme or package. It is defined as the public-sector health financing scheme that is covering the
greatest number of individuals in the country.
5
D Rehabilitation workforce
D0 Is data available on the number of rehabilitation workers in your country’s health system?
Yes, for all/Yes, for some/No
If yes, what is the total number of rehabilitation workers (public and private) for the following profession types19:
D1.1 Clinical psychologists20 Total number (free text)
-Practicing/Professionally active/Licensed to practice
D1.11 Indicate year of the data21 2020/2021/2022/2023/2024/2025/Bef ore 2020/Do not know
D1.12 Can this figure be further broken down by public/private sectors? Yes/No
D1.13 If yes, how many of them were in the public sector? Free text
D1.14 If yes, how many of them were in the private sector (exclusively)? Free text
D1.2 Occupational therapists22 Total number (free text) -Practicing/Professionally active/Licensed to practice
D1.21 Indicate year of the data 2020/2021/2022/2023/2024/2025/Bef ore 2020/Do not know
D1.22 Can this figure be further broken down by public/private sectors? Yes/No
D1.23 If yes, how many of them were in the public sector? Free text
D1.24 If yes, how many of them were in the private sector (exclusively)? Free text
D1.3 Physical and rehabilitation medicine doctors23 Total number (free text) -Practicing/Professionally active/Licensed to practice
D1.31 Indicate year of the data 2020/2021/2022/2023/2024/2025/Bef
ore 2020/Do not know D1.32 Can this figure be further broken down by public/private sectors? Yes/No
D1.33 If yes, how many of them were in the public sector? Free text
D1.34 If yes, how many of them were in the private sector (exclusively)? Free text
D1.4 Physiotherapists24 Total number (free text) -Practicing/Professionally active/Licensed to practice
19 This means the total number of rehabilitation professionals that are practicing rehabilitation in the health
system, including rehabilitation staff that now has managerial (non-clinical) roles. If this data is not available, data for personnel working in a clinical role only can be used (professionally active), or otherwise the closest definition, such as ‘licensed to practice’. Please write ‘o’ if no professionals are available in the country. For more information, see the National Health Workforce Accounts: A Handbook.
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240081291 20 A health professional typically holding a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) who specializes in assessing,
diagnosing, and treating mental, emotional, and behavioural disorders. The focus is primarily on psychological assessments, behavioural interventions, and psychotherapy. In most areas, these professionals do not prescribe medication. 21 If data come from several years, choose the oldest one. 22 A health professional with a recognized diploma or degree in occupational therapy who assesses, plans, and implements interventions to improve physical, mental, cognitive, and social functioning, to help people participate in occupations or everyday activities (such as taking care of oneself or others) and engage in productive tasks, while also modifying tasks and adapting environments to enable people of all ages to engage in the occupations they want, need, or are expected to do. 23 A Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) physician is a specialist medical practitioner responsible for the
prevention, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and comprehensive rehabilitation management of individuals of all ages with disabling health conditions and associated comorbidities. PRM physicians specifically address impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions to optimize physical, cognitive, and behavioural functioning and enhance social participation. 24 Physiotherapists/physical therapists are degree-qualified health professionals trained to assess, diagnose, and treat movement-related conditions. They apply clinical reasoning and evidence-informed interventions to optimise mobility, function, and quality of life. Their work spans health promotion, prevention, acute care,
rehabilitation, and palliative support.
6
D1.41 Indicate year of the data 2020/2021/2022/2023/2024/2025/Bef ore 2020/Do not know
D1.42 Can this figure be further broken down by public/private sectors? Yes/No
D1.43 If yes, how many of them were in the public sector? Free text
D1.44 If yes, how many of them were in the private sector (exclusively)? Free text
D1.5 Prosthetists and orthotists25 Total number (free text) -Practicing/Professionally active/Licensed to practice
D1.51 Indicate year of the data 2020/2021/2022/2023/2024/2025/Bef ore 2020/Do not know
D1.52 Can this figure be further broken down by public/private sectors? Yes/No
D1.53 If yes, how many of them were in the public sector? Free text
D1.54 If yes, how many of them were in the private sector (exclusively)? Free text
D1.6 Speech and language therapists26 Total number (free text) -Practicing/Professionally
active/Licensed to practice D1.61 Indicate year of the data 2020/2021/2022/2023/2024/2025/Bef
ore 2020/Do not know D1.62 Can this figure be further broken down by public/private sectors? Yes/No
D1.63 If yes, how many of them were in the public sector? Free text
D1.64 If yes, how many of them were in the private sector (exclusively)? Free text
D1.7 Rehabilitation nurses27 Total number (free text)
-Practicing/Professionally active/Licensed to practice
D1.71 Indicate year of the data 2020/2021/2022/2023/2024/2025/Bef ore 2020/Do not know
D1.72 Can this figure be further broken down by public/private sectors? Yes/No
D1.73 If yes, how many of them were in the public sector? Free text
D1.74 If yes, how many of them were in the private sector (exclusively)? Free text
D1.8 Other28 Specify: (free text) Total number (free text) -Practicing/Professionally active/Licensed to practice
D1.81 Indicate year of the data 2020/2021/2022/2023/2024/2025/Bef ore 2020/Do not know
D1.82 Can this figure be further broken down by public/private sectors? Yes/No
D1.83 If yes, how many of them were in the public sector? Free text
D1.84 If yes, how many of them were in the private sector (exclusively)? Free text
D1.9 Other Specify: (free text) Total number (free text) -Practicing/Professionally active/Licensed to practice
D1.91 Indicate year of the data 2020/2021/2022/2023/2024/2025/Bef ore 2020/Do not know
25 A health professional who uses evidence-based practice to provide clinical assessment, prescription, technical design, and fabrication of prosthetic and/or orthotic devices. They are involved in the training of individuals to use these devices. They set goals and establish rehabilitation plans that include prosthetic/orthotic services and
clinical outcome measure to enable service recipients so they have equal opportunities to fully participate in society. 26 Also Logopedist/Logopaedist, Speech(-Language) Pathologist: a health professional with a recognised degree who specializes in the assessment, diagnosis, prevention and management of communication, feeding, and swallowing disorders across the lifespan (International Association of Communication Sciences and Disorders) 27 Nurses who obtained an advanced degree or formal qualification in rehabilitation following completion of further studies beyond their initial health qualification. If no further studies for rehabilitation nursing exist in the
country, then you may report on the number of nurses working in rehabilitation services, typically in dedicated inpatient rehabilitation settings. 28 Such as mid-level rehabilitation workers, assistants/technicians, social workers, audiologists, chiropractors, …
7
D1.92 Can this figure be further broken down by public/private sectors? Yes/No
D1.93 If yes, how many of them were in the public sector? Free text
D1.94 If yes, how many of them were in the private sector (exclusively)? Free text
D2 Are data available for the number of rehabilitation professionals employed in other governmental sectors such as education or social protection?
Yes/No
D2.1 If yes, please, specify Free text
E Rehabilitation data and health information systems
E1 Does the national health information system (HIS) routinely collect information on rehabilitation services29?
Yes/No/Do not know
If yes,
E1.y1 Is data from rehabilitation services provided by the private sector available and shared with government?
Comprehensive reports shared with government/Partial reports shared with government (selected programmes, regions, or voluntary participants)/No reporting/Do not
know E1.y2 What is the total number of health facilities designated to report on
rehabilitation services30?
(Free text)
E1.y21 What are the health facility types that are designated to report on
rehabilitation services (administrative level of care)31?
QHC/ THC/ SHC/ PHC/Do not know
E1.y3 Out of the total number of health facilities designated to report on rehabilitation services, what is the number that reported on service
utilization data, last reporting period32?
(Free text)
E1.y401 What has been the total number of cases accessing rehabilitation
services, last year33? - If not for last year, please specify the reporting period
(Free text) reporting period
E1.y402 What has been the total population of the catchment area for
collecting the information on this number of cases?
(Free text)
E1.y41 Have new and old cases been added up to provide the total number
of cases for this reporting period34?
Yes/No/Do not know
E1.y412 If yes, can the total number of cases be further broken down by old/new cases?
Yes/No
E1.y413 If yes, how many of them were new cases? Free text
E1.y414 If yes, how many of them were old cases? Free text
E1.y42 Can the total number of rehabilitation cases be categorized by health condition group35?
Yes/No/Do not know
If yes,
29 This means routine rehabilitation data are available to the Ministry of Health, e.g. in statistical reports, dashboards,.. 30 This means the number of health facilities designated to report on rehabilitation services, e.g. that are on the
rehabilitation master facility list (MFL) of the Health Management Information System (HMIS). Typically, these are health facilities with rehabilitation professionals that are in the country’s system for reporting on rehabilitation services. 31 Multiselection is possible. 32 This means reporting on the number of cases accessing rehabilitation services, last reporting period (month,
quarter, year). This may include in- and outpatients and people accessing services through telerehabilitation. 33 This is the total number of cases reported at national level. If data is not available for last year but for a shorter and/or recent period, please specify. 34 New cases have received rehabilitation services in the reporting period for a newly identified rehabilitation need. Old cases continue receiving rehabilitation services while they have already received services in a previous reporting period. 35 This means reporting on the primary health condition requiring rehabilitation, i.e. musculoskeletal,
neurological, mental health, cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, sensory impairments, cancer, and other.
8
E1.y421 how many of them were cases with a musculoskeletal condition? Free text
E1.y422 how many of them were cases with a neurological condition? Free text
E1.y423 how many of them were cases with a respiratory condition? Free text
E1.y424 how many of them were cases with a cardiovascular condition? Free text
E1.y425 how many of them were cases with a mental health condition? Free text
E1.y426 how many of them were cases with a sensory impairment (vision and hearing)?
Free text
E1.y427 how many of them were cases with cancer? Free text
E1.y43 For reporting on the number of rehabilitation cases, have different rehabilitation professional groups been reporting on the same case
or have data from different professional groups been added up to provide the total number of cases36?
Different rehabilitation professional groups reporting on the same case/ Data from different professional groups have been added up to provide the total number of cases/Do
not know E1.y431 If data from different professional groups have been added up to
provide the total number of cases, please specify the type of professional groups involved
Clinical psychologists/Occupational therapists/Physical and rehabilitation medicine doctors/Physiotherapists/Prosthetist s and orthotists/Speech and language therapists/Rehabilitation
nurses/Other (specify)
F Rehabilitation services
F1 Are rehabilitation services (delivered by rehabilitation professionals) available at primary care settings (public and private
health sector)37?
Yes/No/Do not know
F1.y1 If yes, please indicate their availability at primary care settings
where Good availability = 1; Moderate availability = 2; Poor availability = 3, Don't know = 4.38
1/2/3/4
F1.y2 Whether good, moderate or poor availability, kindly report on the types of services that are available at primary care settings
Physiotherapy/occupational therapy/ prosthetic and orthotic services/psychological services/physical and rehabilitation medicine/ speech and language therapy/rehabilitation nursing/social services/other (specify)
F2 Are rehabilitation services (delivered by rehabilitation professionals) available at acute inpatient settings (public and private health sector)39?
Yes/No/Do not know
F2.y1 If yes, please indicate their availability at acute inpatient settings where Good availability = 1; Moderate availability = 2; Poor
availability = 3, Don't know = 440
1/2/3/4
36 e.g. adding the number of cases receiving physiotherapy, number of cases receiving occupational therapy, etc .. 37 Countries may define their primary care levels differently, typically it includes the service delivery level below
the tertiary and secondary hospitals. 38 This means for the national PHC-level. Good availability: reaches 70% or more of patients in need, Moderate availability: reaches less than 70% but more than 30 % of patients in need, Poor availability: reaches less than 30 % of patients in need. 39 A level of care in a hospital where patients receive active, short-term, but highly intensive medical or psychiatric treatment for severe injuries, sudden illnesses, or acute episodes of mental distress, e.g. in orthopaedic wards,
cardiology wards, paediatric wards, neurology wards, stroke units, intensive care units,.. 40 This means for the national level. Good availability: reaches 70% or more of patients in need, Moderate
availability: reaches less than 70% but more than 30 % of patients in need, Poor availability: reaches less than 30 % of patients in need.
9
F2.y2 Whether good, moderate or poor availability, kindly report on the
types of services that are available at acute inpatient settings
Physiotherapy/occupational therapy/ prosthetic and orthotic
services/psychological services/physical and rehabilitation medicine/ speech and language therapy/rehabilitation nursing/social services/other (specify)
F3 Do (sub)national rehabilitation service standards exist in your
country41?
Yes/No/Do not know
F4 What is the total number of rehabilitation facilities in your
country42?
Free text
F5 Irrespective of the service standard, what is the current number of rehabilitation facilities meeting (sub)nationally endorsed
rehabilitation service standards43?
Free text
G Wrapping up
G1 Did you complete the questionnaire on your own? Yes/No
G1.nd If no, and assistance of National Data Collaborators was requested, upload consensus form44
--
G2.opti
onal (Optional) Did you seek approval of the submitted answers? Yes/No
G2.yd If yes, upload sign off sheet45 --
G3.opti
onal (Optional) Did you seek approval of final answers after validation round?
Yes/No
G3.yd If yes, upload final sign off sheet46 --
Coding principles:
• Majority of questions are single choice (“select one”), except otherwise noted.
• If no answer to a text value, use DNK as marker for “Do not know”.
• Decimals to be noted with period “.” (e.g., 123.34). No thousand’s separators (e.g., 1000).
• The format of this document has no impact on the format of the questionnaire on the
data entry platform.
41 Standards provide guidance that support the provision of quality rehabilitation. These are commonly
“rehabilitation service standards” that have been set at the (sub)national level and define personnel, infrastructure, equipment, administration, management and clinical processes required for provision of quality rehabilitation services by health facilities. 42 These are health facilities providing rehabilitation services with rehabilitation professionals, e.g. standalone rehabilitation centres or health facilities/hospitals providing health services including rehabilitation services. 43 This means through accreditation or certification. Where (sub)national service standards are not (yet)
established, regional or international standard service assessments and accreditation systems can also be considered. Hence, hospitals providing rehabilitation services that have received overall accreditation including rehabilitation are also accepted. 44 Consensus declaration is a document that states the following " We [NAMES and LASTNAMES] as National Data
Focal Point and National Data Collaborators for the Global status report on rehabilitation, 2028, certify that we agree on the data submitted. PLACE AND DATE and signatures of all involved" 45 Sign off sheet (Optional) is a document that states the following "I, NAME and LASTNAME, certify the submitted data have been reviewed by the authority who designated me as National Data Focal Point for the Global status report on rehabilitation, 2028. PLACE AND DATE OF both NDFP signature and government authority" 46 Sign off sheet (optional) is a document that states the following "I, NAME and LASTNAME, certify the final WHO- cleared data have been reviewed by the authority who designated me as National Data Focal Point for the Global
status report on rehabilitation, 2028. PLACE AND DATE OF both NDFP signature and government authority”
GLOBAL
REHABILITATION
INDICATORS
_____________________________________________________________________________________________ 2
Background The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) recognise universal health coverage (UHC) as key to achieving
many health targets. SDG 3.8 target is to “achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk
protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and
affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all”. UHC defines service coverage as a spectrum of
services provided across the life cycle: promotion, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliation1.
Rehabilitation is an essential health service that aims to optimise functioning in daily life. Despite its
centrality to achieving UHC, the global need for rehabilitation remains largely unmet, driven by ageing
populations, noncommunicable diseases and injuries. WHO estimates that 1 in 3 people worldwide have
health conditions that could benefit from rehabilitation2, and in many low- and middle-income countries
the large majority of these needs unmet.
In response WHO launched Rehabilitation2030 in 2017 with a call for action to address the profound
unmet needs for rehabilitation. This initiative identified 10 priority areas to strengthen health systems
for rehabilitation3. It was followed by the endorsement of Resolution 76.6 “Strengthening rehabilitation
in health systems”4 at the 76th World Health Assembly in May 2023, which urges countries “to expand
rehabilitation to all levels of health, from primary to tertiary care, and to ensure the availability and
affordability of quality and timely rehabilitation services”. The resolution also requests the Director-
General of WHO to “develop, with input from Member States, a baseline report with information on the
capacity of Member States to respond to existing and foreseeable rehabilitation needs, to report on
progress on the implementation of the Resolution to the World Health Assembly, and to develop
feasible global health system rehabilitation targets and indicators for effective coverage of rehabilitation
services”.
Following the endorsement of Resolution 76.6, the WHO Rehabilitation Programme, including the 3
levels of the organization, in 2024 and 2025 conducted a Member State consultation for the
development of a set of rehabilitation indicators for global reporting. Data collected on the selected
indicators will track progress toward implementation of Resolution 76.6 and inform a WHO global
baseline report on the capacity of Member States to respond to existing and foreseeable
rehabilitation needs.
1 Health – United Nations Sustainable Development. Available from: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/health/ 2 Cieza A, Causey K, Kamenov K, Hanson SW, Chatterji S, Vos T. 2020. Global estimates of the need for rehabilitation based on the Global Burden of Disease study 2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Lancet. 2020;396(10267):P2006–17 (https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)32340-0). 3 Rehabilitation2030 initiative. Geneva, World health Organization; 2017. Available from: https://www.who.int/initiatives/rehabilitation-2030 4 World Health Organization. Landmark resolution on strengthening rehabilitation in health systems. Available from: https://www.who.int/news/item/27-05-2023-landmark-resolution-on-strengthening-rehabilitation-in-health-systems
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Development of the global rehabilitation indicator set - First, a draft list of 19 rehabilitation indicators for global reporting was developed and selected from
the WHO Rehabilitation Indicator Menu (RIM)5, and including some additional indicators from existing
regional frameworks for rehabilitation and indicators with a track record from other health programmes
(adapted for rehabilitation). Selected indicators for the draft list apply to the criteria for quality
indicators6 (Table 1).
Table 1. Criteria for selecting indicators
Criteria
Definition
1. Valid
Sufficient (scientific) evidence exists to support a link between the value of an indicator and one or more aspects of rehabilitation within health systems.
2. Reliable
Repeated measurements of a stable phenomenon get similar results.
3. Relevant
An indicator measures an aspect of rehabilitation within health systems with high importance.
4. Actionable
An indicator measures an aspect of rehabilitation within health systems that is subject to control by providers and/or the health care system and may be used at a national level for policy-making or strategy development.
5. Internationally feasible
An indicator that can be derived for international comparisons without substantial additional resources.
6. Internationally comparable
Reporting countries comply with the relevant data definition; any differences in the indicator values between countries reflect issues in health systems rather than differences in data collection methodologies, coding or measurements.
- Second, in 2024 and 2025, WHO organized a regional consultation with its Member States to select
indicators from the draft list. To particate, Ministries of Health were requested to nominate a focal
person with knowledge in rehabilitation and in a position to collaborate with those responsible at the
monitoring and evaluation department of the Ministry. The consultation consisted of the following 2-
steps:
1/ online regional meetings to introduce and discuss the process for selecting the Global
Rehabilitation Indicators and outline future reporting mechanisms.
5 World Health Organization. Rehabilitation in health systems: guide for action. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2019 6 Adapted from: OECD Health Care Quality Experts Group. Towards actionable international comparisons of health system performance: expert revision of the OECD framework and quality indicators. Int J Qual Health Care. 2015;27(2).
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2/ online survey to identify a set of Global Rehabilitation Indicators. For this, Member States
were requested to rate all indicators in the draft list from ‘highly agree’ to ‘highly disagree’ and to rank
the indicators within each health system building block, ensuring a minimum of one indicator for the
following building blocks: governance, information, financing, workforce, service delivery, all inclusive of
assistive technology. Indicators were selected when ranked highest and not addressed with major
objections from Member States.
- Third, the selection of eight indicators was concluded to inform a global survey for reporting to WHO.
In addition to this set of eight indicators, two indicators were added to the set of global indicators but
are not included in the global survey: 1/ the assessment of effective coverage of rehabilitation as
requested by WHA Resolution 76.6 and collected in countries on a demand basis with WHO technical
support, and 2/ geographic coverage for assistive technology for assessing the ‘Health products’
building block, identified with the WHO Global Cooperation on Assistive Technology and collected
through the Member States reporting on the capacity to respond to the need for assistive products.
Global Rehabilitation Indicators overview The Global Rehabilitation Indicators have been categorized across the domains of the rehabilitation
results chain (Figure 1); inputs, output, outcome, and impact.
Figure 1. Rehabilitation results chain
The results chain domains are defined as follows:
• Input indicators measure the resources and activities needed (such as for rehabilitation
governance, financing, workforce and health information) to undertake an action.
• Output indicators measure the results of the input in the form of achieved services and
products.
• Outcome indicators measure expected or achieved short- and intermediate-term effects of the
services and product outputs.
• Impact indicators measure at the population-level the long-term effects of the services and
products that have been directly or indirectly influenced by outputs.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________ 5
Table 1 presents the consolidated set of Global Rehabilitation Indicators.
Input
Output
Outcome
Impact
Rehabilitation governance
• Rehabilitation
integrated into national
health sector plan
Rehabilitation
services
• Rehabilitation
service utilization
• Rehabilitation
integrated into
primary health care
• Rehabilitation
services standards
Rehabilitation coverage
• Effective
coverage of rehabilitation
-
Rehabilitation
preparedness
• Rehabilitation in
health emergency
preparedness
Rehabilitation
financing
• Rehabilitation in
largest public-
sector health
benefit package
Rehabilitation workforce
• Rehabilitation
worker density
and distribution
Health products for
rehabilitation
• Geographic
coverage for assistive
technology
Rehabilitation information
_____________________________________________________________________________________________ 6
Global Rehabilitation Indicators and metadata
1.Rehabilitation integrated into the national health sector plan
Rehabilitation results chain: Input – Rehabilitation governance
Definition: The national health sector (strategic) plan explicitly includes rehabilitation at the level of an activity. This means rehabilitation is included in the context of actions in the current national health sector plan – i.e. it is not only mentioned in the background text. This does not include internal operational plans, only the high-level overarching health plans. It excludes national plans for dedicated health programmes such as mental health, older people, vision, hearing, noncommunicable disease and early childhood/nurturing care. If the national health sector plan is under review or in the process of being updated/renewed, the most recent existing national health sector plan is assessed.
Rationale: The inclusion of rehabilitation in the national health sector plan indicates the extent of integration of rehabilitation in health planning.
Numerator: -
Denominator: -
Method of calculation: The current national health sector plan explicitly includes rehabilitation at the level of an activity - Yes/No
Preferred data sources: National and subnational health sector plans from ministry of health.
Resources: -
2.Rehabilitation in health emergency preparedness
Rehabilitation results chain: Input – Rehabilitation preparedness
Definition: The status of health emergency preparedness planning for rehabilitation defined by the ratio of key components of (sub)national health emergency preparedness planning that are in place. Eight key
• Rehabilitation
reporting
completeness
_____________________________________________________________________________________________ 7
components for rehabilitation that should be included when preparing for rehabilitation in a health emergency are:
• Risk assessment including consideration of surges in rehabilitation needs and threats to essential rehabilitation services.
• Designation of a rehabilitation focal person for health emergency preparedness and response.
• Description of rehabilitation stockpiles or supply chain analysis if stockpiles are not required.
• Review of key rehabilitation infrastructure, with a requirement for key facilities to have conducted risk assessments and developed evacuation plans.
• Mapping of critical rehabilitation services with the development of adapted rehabilitation referral pathways based on the risk assessment.
• Rehabilitation workforce surge plan.
• Rehabilitation services continuity plan.
• Integration of rehabilitation in national health emergency management policy or strategy document.
Rationale: Healthemergencies can create enormous surges in rehabilitation needs and also disrupt essential rehabilitation services. Integrating rehabilitation into health emergency preparedness planning is the best way to systematically prepare rehabilitation services for emergencies.
Numerator: Number of key components for rehabilitation preparedness planning that are in place.
Denominator: Eight key components for rehabilitation preparedness planning that should be included in health emergency preparedness planning.
Method of calculation: Number of key components for rehabilitation preparedness planning in place/ Eight key components for rehabilitation preparedness planning
Preferred data sources: Administrative records from MoH,(sub)national health emergency preparedness plan, (sub)national dedicated rehabilitation emergency preparedness plan, preparedness plans from key facilities.
Resources: WHO policy brief on health emergencies preparedness for rehabilitation. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2023.
3.Rehabilitation in largest public-sector health benefit package
Rehabilitation results chain: Input – Rehabilitation financing
Definition: The existence of 15 evidence informed, prioritized, quality rehabilitation interventions within the country’s health benefit package linked to the largest public-sector health-financing scheme. The largest public-sector health-financing scheme is defined as that covering the greatest number of individuals in the country. The set of 15 rehabilitation interventions has been developed by WHO for it’s regular global survey on Health Benefit Packages. The list of interventions does not want to comprehensively assess rehabilitation services provision and serves as a tracer for rehabilitation services only. The interventions include the provision of assistive products, rehabilitation interventions for
_____________________________________________________________________________________________ 8
mobility and spasticity, after lower limb amputation, in elderly for hearing deficits, and in adults with depression7.
Rationale: The inclusion of the rehabilitation interventions within the largest public-sector health financing scheme reflects the extent to which the government finances rehabilitation services.
Numerator: -
Denominator: -
Method of calculation: Existence of a set of 15 evidence informed, prioritized, quality rehabilitation interventions within the country’s largest public-sector health-financing scheme. - Yes/No
Preferred data sources: Largest public-sector health financing scheme
Remarks: This indicator has previously been reported through a data collection mechanism established with the WHO survey on Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and Health Benefit Packages. The last and final update was in 2021 (see Resources). Reporting is done for all 15 interventions allowing in-depth analysis for included intervention types.
Resources: WHO Rehabilitation in health financing: opportunities on the way to universal health coverage. Geneva: World Health organization; 2024
WHO survey on Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and Health Benefit Packages. Geneva: World Health organization; 2020
4.Rehabilitation worker density and distribution
Rehabilitation results chain: Input – Rehabilitation workforce
Definition: Number of rehabilitation workers per 10 000 population. Common rehabilitation personnel are physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors, rehabilitation nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, prosthetists and orthotists, and clinical psychologists. Other rehabilitation occupational groups relevant to the country can also be included, for example assistants
7Interventions for motor functions and mobility: Supervised strengthening exercises, Provision of orthotics (splints, braces, casts, etc.) for maintaining range of movement, Botulinum toxin for spasticity management, Provision of a motorized wheelchair (also called, electric wheelchair, electric-powered wheelchair, or powerchair). Interventions for lower limb amputation: Residual limb and stump care (including skin care, and education on positioning), Provision and training of lower limb prosthesis, Provision of basic mobility devices (e.g. crutches, wheelchair), Rehabilitation programs for amputees with prosthesis to return to sports and/or work. Interventions for older adult health: Multimodal exercise programs including strength resistance training, aerobic training, balance training, flexibility training, Provision of assistive device, Home assessment and environmental adaptations for mobility ease and safety. Interventions for hearing deficits: Hearing aid provision, Rehabilitative therapy (e.g. auditory-verbal therapy). Interventions for depression in adults: full course of psychotherapy (e.g., CBT, interpersonal therapy) by a psychologist or psychiatrist, Multi-disciplinary specialist rehabilitation service for depression
_____________________________________________________________________________________________ 9
(or technicians), chiropractors, audiologists, social workers and mid-level rehabilitation cadres. This includes those working in government, private practice and nongovernmental services.
Rationale: The number of rehabilitation workers per 10 000 population provides an indication of the availability of rehabilitation services. The inclusion of all rehabilitation personnel, including mid-level cadres, contributes to this information. When disaggregating further, information about personnel numbers for different rehabilitation occupational groups and density for geographic areas and facility types is important for measuring workforce composition and distribution.
Numerator: Number of health workers per rehabilitation occupational group.
Denominator: Total population.
Method of calculation: Number of health workers per rehabilitation occupational group / Total population x 10 000.
Optional disaggregation and additional dimensions: For numerator, disaggregation by geographic region, facility type (administrative level of care, public/private). For denominator, disaggregation by geographic region.
Preferred data sources: National Health Workforce Regulatory and or Licensing Agencies that include the rehabilitation workforce, National Health Workforce Accounts and MOH data bases and/or RHIS (WHO standard facility indicator “Rehabilitation personnel density”), records from Professional Associations.
Remarks:
• Preferably, this is reporting about practicing personnel (active stock), including staff in a non- clinical role. If not, it could include only those in clinical roles or at least reporting about licensed rehabilitation workers. This should be indicated. If reported through professional associations, a standardization of data collection from each professional association is needed.
• Denominator is based on estimates from the World Bank or from national office for statistics.
• Reliable rehabilitation workforce numbers outside of government services can be difficult to determine in countries without national registration data or when the private sector is not included for data collection with the health management information system (HMIS).
• Workforce density data collected with the HMIS may include rehabilitation workers that are partially employed.
Resources: Handbook on monitoring and evaluation of human resources for health with a special focus on low- and middle-income countries. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2009 (https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/44097. Monitoring the building blocks of health systems: a handbook on indicators and their measurement strategies. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2010 (https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/258734/9789241564052-eng.pdf). Routine Health Information Systems – rehabilitation toolkit. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2022.
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WHO national health workforce accounts: a handbook. Geneva: World Health organization; 2017 (https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/259360/9789241513111-eng.pdf).
5.Geographic coverage for assistive technology
Rehabilitation results chain: Input– Health products
Definition: The percentage of districts (or similar) that have government or government-recognized assistive technology services providing assistive technology for the different functioning domains8 (communication, cognition, hearing, mobility, self care and vision).
Rationale: Assistive technology services are often concentrated in urban centres. Limited distribution of services often prevents people from accessing assistive technology, particularly those living in rural and remote areas. Monitoring the extent to which services are available across the country and beyond tertiary level settings provides a measure of reducing inequity of access.
Numerator: Number of districts (or similar) that have government or government-recognized assistive technology services that provide assistive products.
Denominator: Number of districts (or relevant division for local governance).
Method of calculation: Number of districts (or similar) that have government or government-recognized assistive technology services that provide assistive products x100 / Total number of districts.
Optional disaggregation and additional dimensions: For numerator, disaggregation by functioning domain: communication, cognition, hearing, mobility, self care, and vision.
Preferred data sources: Assistive technology progress assessment questionnaire - tracking progress on access to assistive technology, WHO data collection 2025 (Question 5: Geographic and decentralized service coverage).
8 WHO classifies assistive products into six domains. Some products may be relevant to more than one domain. The six functional domains used in the priority Assistive Products List are: cognition, communication, hearing, mobility, self care and vision. -Cognition products help people who have difficulties with memory, attention, planning or organization to manage daily routines and stay safe. Examples of products to help with cognition include simple memory aids, and orientation and localization systems. -Communication products support people who find it hard to understand others or express themselves to share their needs, ideas and choices. Examples of these products include non-digital communication aids, dedicated digital communication aids, and alternative input devices. -Hearing products make speech and other important sounds easier to notice and understand so people can communicate and take part in daily life. Examples of these include digital hearing aids, personal remote microphone systems, and alarm signallers with lights, sounds or vibrations. -Mobility products help people who have difficulty standing, walking or moving around to get where they need to go and join in family, work and community activities. Examples of these include walking sticks, wheelchairs, postural support systems and transfer aids. -Self care products support safety and independence in everyday activities, such as dressing, bathing, toileting, eating and managing medicines. Examples of these include toilet chairs, dressing aids, catheter systems and fall alarms. -Vision products help people who are blind or have low vision to read, move around safely and access information. Examples include spectacles for near or distance vision, magnifiers, screen readers and Braille products.
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Remarks:
• Government services are those led and implemented by the Government.
• Government-recognized services may include those provided by non-government and/or private organizations through formal or informal agreement with the Government.
• District level may be district, provincial, or equivalent administrative division used for local governance.
Resources: Assistive technology progress assessment questionnaire: tracking progress on access to assistive
technology. World Health Organization, 2025.
6.Rehabilitation reporting completeness
Rehabilitation results chain: Input– Health information for rehabilitation
Definition: The percentage of health facilities designated to report on rehabilitation services that collected a minimum rehabilitation data set (defined as service utilization data), last reporting period.
Rationale: It is recommended integrating information on rehabilitation into the routine health information systems by collecting and reporting core rehabilitation data disaggregated by sex and age. The availability of information on rehabilitation service utilization at facility level describes the extent to which rehabilitation minimal information is made available. The timely availability of complete routine rehabilitation data from facilities is essential for decision-making. The indicator measures compliance with the requirements of complete reporting for a minimal data set across facilities in a specified period of time.
Numerator: Number of health facilities designated to report on rehabilitation services that collected service utilization data, last reporting period.
Denominator: Number of health facilities designated to report on rehabilitation services.
Method of calculation: Number of health facilities designated to report on rehabilitation services that collected service utilization data, last reporting period x100 / Number of health facilities designated to report on rehabilitation services.
Preferred data sources: RHIS (WHO standard facility indicator “Rehabilitation reporting completeness”).
Remarks:
• The country needs to establish a rehabilitation Master Facility List, which is a list of health facilities that are expected to report on rehabilitation, whether services are provided by rehabilitation workforce or non-rehabilitation workforce through task sharing.
• The timeliness and completeness of reporting is defined by national guidance
• If rehabilitation data on service utilization is not included in the current Health Management Information System (HMIS) of the country, or the HMIS or other reporting mechanism is not existing, the indicator would be reported as 0%.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________ 12
Resources:
Routine Health Information Systems – rehabilitation toolkit. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2022
District Health Information System 2 (DHIS2) user manual [website] 2023 (https://docs.dhis2.org/2.24/en/user/html/ch01.html).
Monitoring the building blocks of health systems: a handbook on indicators and their measurement strategies. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2010 (https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/258734/9789241564052-eng.pdf).
7.Rehabilitation service utilization
Rehabilitation results chain: Output – Rehabilitation services – Utilization
Definition: The number of cases accessing rehabilitation services per 10 000 population, last year. This can be categorized by health condition group (i.e. musculoskeletal, neurological, mental health, cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, sensory impairments, cancer, and others). It includes in- and outpatients and people accessing services through telerehabilitation.
Rationale: The indicator provides information on the number of cases receiving rehabilitation services. If data are disaggregated for underlying health condition (groups), it informs the assessment of accessibility and availability of rehabilitation services for different clinical populations.
Numerator: Number of cases that has received rehabilitation services, last year.
Denominator: Total population.
Method of calculation: Number of cases that has received rehabilitation services, last year / Total population x 10 000.
Optional disaggregation and additional dimensions: For numerator: health condition group.
Preferred data sources: RHIS (WHO standard facility indicator “Rehabilitation service utilization”), rehabilitation service records, ministry of health administrative data source or national body charged with reporting on rehabilitation.
Remarks:
• Rehabilitation services are health services provided by rehabilitation professionals.
• Denominator is based on estimates from the World Bank or national office for statistics.
• When using HMIS data, it is important to distinguish between new cases and old cases utilizing rehabilitation services. Counting the latter for the numerator may result in an overestimation of service utilization. This may also happen when service utilization data for rehabilitation are calculated by adding service utilization data from the different professional groups.
Resources: Routine Health Information Systems – rehabilitation toolkit. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2022.
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8.Rehabilitation integrated into primary health care
Rehabilitation results chain: Output – Rehabilitation services – Availability
Definition: The extent to which rehabilitation services delivered by the rehabilitation workforce are available at primary care settings (public and private health sector).
Rationale: The presence of the rehabilitation workforce in primary care settings indicates the availability of rehabilitation services at primary care.
Numerator: -
Denominator: -
Method of calculation: The extent to which rehabilitation services delivered by rehabilitation professionals are available at primary care settings: poor availability, moderate availability, good availability.
Preferred data sources: Facility audits, (sub)national Essential Health Services Package.
Remarks:
• Countries may define their primary care level differently; it typically includes the service delivery level(s) below the tertiary and secondary hospitals. The assessment is for the national situation.
• Good availability means 70% or more of patients in need are reached. Moderate availability means less than 70% but more than 30 % of patients in need are reached. Poor availability means less than 30 % of patients in need are reached.
• Whether rehabilitation services are poorly or highly available at the level of primary care, countries can also report on the types of services that are available: physiotherapy, occupational therapy, prosthetic and orthotic services, psychological services, physical and rehabilitation medicine, speech and language therapy, rehabilitation nursing. Some countries may include other service types such as audiology, social services, and mid-level rehabilitation services.
Resources: -
9. Rehabilitation services standards
Rehabilitation results chain: Output – Rehabilitation services – Quality
Definition: Percentage of rehabilitation facilities meeting (inter)national endorsed rehabilitation standards through accreditation or certification. Standards provide guidance that support the provision of quality rehabilitation. These are commonly “rehabilitation service standards” that have been set at the (sub)national level for health facilities providing rehabilitation services with rehabilitation professionals and define aspects related to quality care (personnel, infrastructure, equipment, administration, management and clinical processes).
Rationale: There is evidence that the existence and implementation of rehabilitation service standards improve the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of rehabilitation care.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________ 14
Numerator: Number of rehabilitation facilities meeting (inter)national endorsed rehabilitation standards.
Denominator: Total number of rehabilitation facilities.
Method of calculation: Number of rehabilitation facilities meeting (inter)national endorsed rehabilitation standards x 100/ Total number of rehabilitation facilities.
Preferred data sources: National accreditation, quality standards agencies.
Remarks:
• Facilities meet the standards through accreditation or certification. Where (sub)national service standards are not (yet) established, regional or international standard service assessments and accreditation systems can also be considered. Hence, hospitals providing rehabilitation services that have received overall accreditation including rehabilitation are also accepted.
Resources: WHO Health systems strengthening glossary. Geneva: World Health Organization (https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/documents/health-systems-strengthening- glossary.pdf).
Harmonized Health Facility Assessment. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2022 (https://www.who.int/data/data-collection-tools/harmonized-health-facility-assessment/introduction).
10. Effective coverage of rehabilitation
Rehabilitation results chain: Outcome – Rehabilitation coverage
Definition: The percentage of adults with chronic primary low back pain and limitations in functioning that has benefited from rehabilitation.
Rationale: This WHO global tracer indicator enables monitoring of coverage of rehabilitation services at population level and the performance of the health system in terms of the quality of services that have been provided. The indicator has been developed for population-based surveys, requiring the selection of a tracer health condition based on its prevalence and evidence base for rehabilitation, namely chronic primary low back pain. The highest contribution to the need for rehabilitation comes from musculoskeletal disorders, with low back pain being the most prevalent condition in a majority of countries (568 million people in 20199). There is evidence showing that many rehabilitation interventions are cost-effective in chronic low back pain.
9 Cieza A, Causey K, Kamenov K, Wulf Hanson S, Chatterji S, Vos T. Global estimates of the need for rehabilitation based on the Global Burden of Disease study 2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Lancet. 2020;396(10267):P2006-2017.
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Numerator: Number of adults with chronic primary low back pain and limitations in functioning that has benefited from rehabilitation.
Denominator: Number of adults with chronic primary low back pain and limitations in functioning.
Method of calculation: (Prevalent adults with chronic primary low back pain experiencing limitations in functioning and benefiting from rehabilitation / Identified number of adults with chronic primary low back pain experiencing limitations in functioning) x 100.
Optional disaggregation and additional dimensions: Age, gender, socioeconomic status, urban/rural and other relevant sociodemographic stratifiers where available.
Preferred data sources: Integration of the WHO questionnaire and functioning measure in a household survey.
Remarks: -
Resources:
De Groote W, Côté P, Wong J et al. Development of a World Health Organization indicator and corresponding questions to measure effective coverage of rehabilitation. eClinicalMedicine, 2025; 85