Health Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation helps a person affected by illness, injury, disability or age-related decline achieve the best possible level of functioning. It seeks to reduce disability, strengthen independence and enable participation in family, education, work and community life. It complements prevention, treatment and palliative care within a comprehensive health system.

Outcomes sought

Rehabilitation focuses on what a person can do in everyday life, not merely on curing the underlying disease.

• It seeks to restore or maintain physical, sensory, cognitive, psychological and social functioning.
• It prevents avoidable complications, secondary disabilities and further functional decline.
• It improves independence in daily activities, social participation and quality of life.
• Where complete recovery is not possible, it supports adaptation through assistive products, environmental modification, caregiver training and self-management.

Place within the continuum of care

Rehabilitation should begin when needed and continue across acute care, post-acute care, primary care, community services and long-term support. Although traditionally associated with tertiary prevention, it is relevant throughout the course of many health conditions.

• Care should be person-centred and goal-oriented, based on the individual's needs, priorities and environment.
• Delivery commonly requires coordinated multidisciplinary inputs, including medical, nursing and different rehabilitation professionals.
• The National Health Policy, 2017 includes rehabilitative care within comprehensive primary health care, alongside preventive, promotive, curative and palliative services.

Equity and social inclusion

A comprehensive system must make rehabilitation accessible, affordable and continuous, including for rural populations, older persons and persons with disabilities. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 also envisages rehabilitation programmes involving health, education and employment.

• Health services should coordinate with social protection, education, livelihood and accessibility measures because participation depends on both individual capacity and the surrounding environment.
• Financial protection and community-based delivery help prevent rehabilitation needs from producing exclusion or impoverishment.