WHO is in the process of developing a Disability guide for action – a national strategic planning tool that provides a step-by-step guidance for countries to integrate disability inclusion in their existing health systems’ plans. The tool serves as the foundational resource to enable ministries of health to implement the recommendations of the Global report on health equity for persons with disabilities, and to support Member States to meet commitments on the highest attainable standard of health for all people, as outlined in the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and World Health Assembly resolution WHA74.8.

Implementing the disability guide for action in Montenegro: where are we now?

Under the leadership of Minister of Health, Dr Vojislav Šimun, Montenegro became the first country in the European region to implement the WHO Disability guide for action and ensure persons with disabilities have equitable access to health services. To mark the start of the process, the Ministry of Health, with support from WHO, organized a high-level event in November 2023, attended by Minister of Health Dr Vojislav Šimun, Deputy Prime Minister for Labour, Education, Health and Social Policy Dr Srđan Pavićević, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System in Montenegro Peter Lundberg, Head of the WHO Office in Montenegro, Mina Brajović, representatives from different governmental bodies, UN agencies, health service providers, civil society, and organizations of persons with disabilities.

Dr Vojislav Šimun, said that he will work “tirelessly” to provide universal health care and access to every citizen. He mentioned: “Recently, the Government adopted the Strategy for the protection of persons with disabilities from discrimination and the promotion of equality, which includes a focus on the accessibility of health services for persons with disabilities and is dedicated to reducing discrimination and barriers in accessing health services. There are important steps that we have to go through and there is a lot of work ahead of us. Therefore, I welcome the efforts of the World Helath Organization to improving equity for persons with disabilities and the support they provide to the Government of Montenegro in this direction”.

The Resident coordinator of the United Nations (UN) system in Montenegro, Peter Lundberg, sent a call for action: “Now is the time for change, we must speed up the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which promotes, protects, and ensures respect for the human rights of persons with disabilities”. Peter Lundberg also reiterated the strong support from the UN to Montenegro, “The United Nations supports Montenegro on this path and I am here to assure you that you are not alone in this task. Achieving health for all, including people with disabilities, will require partnership and collaboration. The United Nations team will be with you every step of the way”.

The Head of the WHO Country Office in Montenegro, Mina Brajović, highlighted what is at stake if we do not advance disability inclusion in the health sector, “Regardless of what type of barriers we are talking about as obstacles for people with disabilities in achieving health care, they distance us from humanity, an inclusive society and prosperity”. Dr Brajović concluded: “The level of health care for persons with disabilities is a litmus test – a measure of our true commitment to achieving universal health care and creating a healthier and safer society for everyone”.

As part of the process of implementation of the Disability guide for action, a working group was established by the Ministry of Health, comprising of governmental representatives from different ministries, persons with disabilities and their representative organizations, the Institute for Public Health, the National Insurance Fund, health service providers, the National Ombudsman, and UN sister agencies. The working group is regularly convened by the Ministry of Health to provide ongoing input and support during the process, making the implementation of the disability guide for action a highly collaborative process to promote meaningful progress in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

A group of people sitting at a table

In November 2023, a comprehensive situation assessment on health equity for persons with disabilities in Montenegro was completed. This situation assessment was based on a report produced by WHO to identify the specific gaps and opportunities for disability inclusion in the national health system. It culminated with a successful two-day workshop organised by the Ministry of Health, supported by WHO, and attended by the members of the working group to discuss, complement, and agree on the findings of this report.

Development of an action plan – A 2-day workshop on 19–20 February 2024, was convened by Ministry of Health of Montenegro to identify and rank the priority activities to make the country’s health system more inclusive inclusion. The identified actions are closely aligned with the national health sector priorities outlined in the National Health Strategy. The action plan will be finalized in April, when the implementation stage will commence.

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