World Health Organization (WHO)

“The WHO is a specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Its main objective is to ensure ‘ the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. ‘ The WHO’s broad mandate includes advocating for universal healthcare , monitoring public health risks, coordinating responses to health emergencies and promoting human health and well being. It provides technical assistance to countries, sets international health standards and guidelines and collects data on global health issues through the World Health Survey.” We have been hearing about the WHO at present during this time of CoVid. One of their current priorities include communicable diseases. However another priority is to look after non communicable diseases. The 2030 Agenda for sustainable development has among others included a goal to ensure healthy lives and promote well being of all ages. Rehabilitation is a core health service for individuals throughout the life course including people with chronic conditions like Parkinson disease. The WHO has a mandate to establish and strengthen rehabilitation services. This means identifying the rehabilitation interventions (PRI)that need to be prioritised for integration into health systems and the resources required to deliver them safely and effectively in all countries. The goal is to strengthen health systems for rehabilitation through forming health policy, planning and budgeting. The PRI will include information on evidence based rehabilitation interventions for neurological conditions including Parkinson disease. This PRI will provide a basis to A) implement rehabilitation interventions B) area of service deliveries, time, assisted technology, and equipment which are needed C) workforce which is necessary for the implementation of rehabilitation interventions. This information which will be included in the PRI will be available as an open access online resource and will enable users to select what they need in their areas. Ministry’s of Health can use the PRI to plan rehabilitation interventions in their own national health services. Researchers can identify gaps from the PRI and change their strategies to fill these gaps. Academics can use them to develop curriculum for training rehabilitation workers. How will the PRI be developed? - through evidence- based approach - drawing on the expertise of rehabilitation workers. I have been asked to be part of this development group composed of rehabilitation experts from different world regions and different health professions with expertise in rehabilitation of Parkinson disease. PWP has been recognised as a Parkinson disease health specific organization! I am excited to be part of a team of 25 rehabilitation specialists from around the world who will be working on selections of assessments and interventions from Clinical Practice Guidelines to be included in the PRI with the goal of strengthening rehabilitation of Parkinson disease across the world. This project starts in May and will be carried out by web conferences. How exciting to have the Parkinson Wellness Project community recognised as leading the way in Parkinson’s rehabilitation! Together we have made this happen.

Jillian