Because we see access to healthcare as an essential step towards social inclusion, Handicap International does not limit itself to rehabilitation.
Whether through the prevention of disabling diseases, creating local health services, or providing psychological support, all our actions serve one purpose: to ensure that every man, woman, and child has access to good quality healthcare.
© Stanislas Bonnet / Handicap International
The prevention of disabling diseases: a new challenge
Disabling diseases are the scourge of many developing countries, especially in Africa. Diseases like HIV/AIDS, Lymphatic Filariasis, Epilepsy, Poliomyelitis, Diabetes and Leprosy all leave their sufferers severely disabled and often socially excluded. However, with health precautions, information, vaccination and screening campaigns populations can be protected from these diseases and early detection can reduce or set back the onset of the most seriously disabling consequences.
Once disabling diseases are better understood they are also better treated and better accepted by a patient's family and friends. This is the reason why we work in close collaboration with local organisations, institutions and health workers to carry out vaccination and awareness-raising campaigns, set up information and screening centres and provide training for trainers.
Protecting the right to healthcare for disabled and vulnerable people
Our health projects aim to establish or reinforce access to high-quality healthcare for the most vulnerable. This is achieved by setting up community health services and local pharmacies, improving how patients are received and followed up, training health workers, and providing technical, methodological and financial support.
Psychological support
Handicap International offers support to a range of people suffering from psychological problems, including the victims of war and conflict, refugees, child soldiers, and children with autism or learning difficulties. In every situation, our teams work in close collaboration with the individual, their family, and local health workers to ensure that each individual receives appropriate treatment.
Find out more about our work to prevent the spread of disabling diseases:
