The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) formally partnered up to promote para-sports and healthy lifestyles.
The organisations will join forces to improve access to rehabilitation and assistive technology around the world.
They hope to battle existing inequalities in access to life-changing services, in order to ensure equal opportunities and access to sport for people with disabilities.
“This new partnership is one that will greatly benefit society, as sport is a tremendous tool for ensuring persons lead active and healthy lifestyles,” said IPC President Andrew Parsons.
“The IPC’s partnership with the WHO goes beyond promoting physical and healthy lifestyles and will also focus on highlighting the role assistive technology plays in the creation of an inclusive world, especially for the over one billion persons with disabilities.”
According to the WHO, approximately 15 % of the world’s population live with a disability, and this number is increasing.
But only one in two people with a disability can afford healthcare, and only one in 10 can access technology to improve their lives.
“Sport and health are natural allies, with mutually reinforcing benefits,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the WHO.
“More than that, the Paralympic Games are an inspiring statement of what persons with disabilities can achieve.
“We hope this partnership between WHO and IPC will provide a platform for more persons with disabilities to participate in sport, but also for demonstrating why universal health coverage is so important, by ensuring all persons have the care and technologies they need to fulfil their potential,” he added.
The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games will be held in Tokyo, from August 24 – September 5, 2021.
