In response to this, the DOH issued Administrative Order No. This document stipulated that the DOH is required to: (1) institute a national health program for PWDs, (2) establish medical rehabilitation centers in provincial hospitals, and (3) adopt an integrated and comprehensive program to the Health Development of PWD, which shall make essential health services available to them at affordable cost. 7277, “An Act Providing for the Rehabilitation and Self-Reliance of Disabled Persons and Their Integration into the Mainstream of Society and for Other Purposes” or otherwise known as “The Magna Carta for Disabled Persons” andthe Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 7277. The mandate of the DOH to come up with a national health program for PWD was based on Republic Act No. For every five (5) PWD, one (18.9%) was aged 0 to 14 years, three (59.0%) were in the working age group (15-64 years old), and one (22.1%) was aged 65 years and above (NSO, 2013). There were more males, who accounted for 50.9% of the total PWD in 2010, compared to females, with 49.1% with disability. Region IV-A, with 193 thousand PWDs, was recorded to have the highest number of PWD among the 17 regions, while the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) had the lowest number with 26 thousand PWDs. In the Philippines, the results of the 2010 Census of Population and Housing (CPH, 2010) show that of the household population of 92.1 million, 1.443 million Filipinos or 1.57%, have a disability. ![]() However, reports show that PWDs have less access to health services and therefore have greater unmet needs (WHO, 2012.) With their conditions, PWDs need greater attention and considerations in terms of health needs, without discrimination. About 80% of the world’s PWDs live in low-income countries, wherein majority are poor and cannot access basic services. Moreover, the rapid spread of chronic diseases and population ageing contribute to the increasing rates of disability. ![]() About 110 to 190 million people 15 years and older have significant difficulties in functioning. Globally, over 1 billion people, or approximately 15% of the world’s population, have some form of disability. A comprehensive approach in interventions is then necessary for persons with disabilities (PWDs) as it entails actions beyond the context of health, but more on helping them to overcome difficulties by removing environmental and social barriers (WHO, 2013). The ICF’s definition of disability denotes a negative interaction between a person (with a health condition) and his or her contextual factors (environmental and personal factors). An impairment is a problem in body function or structure an activity limitation is a difficulty encountered by an individual in executing a task or action while a participation restriction is a problem experienced by an individual in involvement in life situations”. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) refers to disability as “an umbrella term covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. Persons with disabilities (PWDs), according the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities, include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ![]() Links to other Libraries and Resource Center.
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