Need to expand rehabilitation facilities to improve access to health services for people with disabilities in Iran

Planning to provide safe, equitable, and quality rehabilitation services requires data on the availability of current rehabilitation resources, including rehabilitation facilities and infrastructures. Given the findings of national surveys on available rehabilitation facilities, there are some deficiencies in the number and pattern of their distribution. These deficiencies make it necessary to invest in the expansion of rehabilitation facilities in order to improve access to the required services. To bridge these gaps, allocating part of the existing beds or adding beds for rehabilitation; revising the distribution of outpatient care centers both in terms of center type and geographical area, especially in deprived areas; developing and establishing the multidisciplinary rehabilitation service centers; and expanding rehabilitation home centers, community rehabilitation center and longstay rehabilitation centers, in collaboration with the primary health care system, strengthening intersectoral relations, and participation of the private sector, and nongovernmental organizations are recommended.