Leprosy Mailing List – September 3rd, 2007
Ref.:
Rehabilitation: Searching for an appropriate strategy for
people affected by leprosy.
From:
Deepak S., Bologna, Italy
Dear Salvatore,
With reference to Dr
Pannikar's message (LML, 28 August 2007) regarding searching for an
appropriate strategy for people affected by leprosy, I would like to
add some considerations of a more general nature:
1. In December 2006, the United
Nations General Assembly has approved the Convention on the Rights of
the Persons with Disabilities. A
large number of countries have already signed the convention and the
process of ratification of the Convention by national parliaments has
also started. Organisations
of persons with disabilities are mobilising public opinion and
promoting advocacy so that countries put in place the different
services required for respecting the commitments of the Convention
including the rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities.
2. Over the last decades, the
organisations of persons with disabilities have assumed stronger
command of strategies and services aiming to touch their lives. "Nothing about us without
us" is their call for action.
They ask that all debates about new rehabilitation
strategies at national and international level should have active
participation of affected persons in decision making roles.
3. Leprosy programmes have
evolved in consultation with a limited set of actors, especially those
related to health sector. Rehabilitation
programmes involve other sectors and partners. Involving and
networking with those other partners is fundamental for the
discussions on new strategies.
Dr. Sunil Deepak
Head, Medical Support Department
AIFO,
Bologna
Italy
sunil.deepak@aifo.it
